Louisiana's Senate Judiciary C Committee unanimously cleared a ban that would commence on August 15, rather than 18 months from now, the target approved by a similar committee in Louisiana's House. SB39, sponsored by Sen. Art Lentini (R-Metairie), also calls for a repeal on a section of state law that allows cockfighting by declaring that chickens are not animals, which would be about time. As of now, chickens are not protected by state law that criminalizes cruelty to animals. Crazy, isn't it?
Lentini argued that postponing the ban until next year would merely intensify cockfighting for the duration. Cockfighters, Lentini said, would simply fight the birds repeatedly, to kill the animals off. This was confirmed by Chris Daughdrill, head of the Louisiana Gamefowl Breeders Association, who said he would fight all 800 of the birds he currently owns until they are killed. It would be a bloodbath.
There will likely be delays now as the House and Senate sort out the legislation so it will clear both chambers and be sent to Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who is expected to sign the bill.
You can read Senate Bill 39 and House Bill 108 at http://legis.state.la.us/.
Labels: animal law, cockfighting
