Reuters: Louisiana to be last state to ban cockfighting

Well, this is one we've been waiting for.

The Louisiana Senate unanimously banned cockfighting, while Rep. Elbert Guillory (D-Opelousas), who has a number of cockfighters and venues in his district, was the sole holdout in the House. Though the Senate preferred an immediate ban but, once both chambers assented to a year-long "phase-out" period, the ban sailed through the legislature, and is now on its way to Gov. Kathleen Blanco for signature, which she has previously said she would offer.

By way of background, the August 2008 deadline was incorporated to mollify cockfighters who allegedly want time to sell off their animals and equipment, though my understanding is that doing so would violate a federal law that took effect earlier this year. The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act provides felony penalties for interstate commerce, import and export related to animal fighting activities, including commerce in cockfighting weapons, so I think someone needs to explain to me how these Louisiana cockfighters are going to avoid prosecution under federal law. Each violation of the AFPEA can bring up to three years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000.

While I'm displeased that cockfighters get a whole year to continue abusing animals, the reality is that an approved "companion" ban barring gambling at cockfights could scuttle the practice even sooner, as it will take effect this summer.

Regardless of what happens over the course of the next year, cockfighting will finally be illegal in all 50 U.S. states in August 2008. Shameful that it should take so long, and further proof that animal advocates need to work harder to shatter society's basic, anthropocentric assumptions, which make animal exploitation possible in the first place.

Additional sources:

The Times-Picayune 6/26
The Times-Picayune 6/27 #1
The Times-Picayune 6/27 #2

Labels: animal fighting, animal law, cockfighting

KATC.com: La. Senate panel approves immediate ban on cockfights

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

The Shreveport Times: House panel approves cockfighting phase-out

It's a parade of good news today! Of course, with HB 108, the Louisiana House Agriculture Committee moved forward an 18-month phase-out of cockfighting, rather than the immediate ban called for by the Humane Society of the United States and the Louisiana ASPCA, but cockfighters were so thrilled with the grace period they received in compromise that they actually supported the bill to ban their "sport." HSUS and the Louisiana ASPCA had also lobbied to reverse a state law that says chickens are exempt from the state animal cruelty law and to increase the penalty.

As of now, the bill would impose a maximum $1,000 fine and six-month jail term on anyone who organizes or conducts “any commercial or private cockfight wherein there is a display of combat or fighting among one or more domestic or feral chickens and in which it is intended or reasonably foreseeable that the chickens would be injured, maimed, mutilated, or killed.” I wonder how big a loophole that second requirement will prove to be.

The bill could still be amended by the full House or Senate.

Labels: animal law, cockfighting

NOLA.com: Battle looms over cockfighting in Louisiana

New Mexico governor Bill Richardson signed into law today a ban on cockfighting in his state, which is good news in and of itself. But then Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco indicated via her press office that she now supports a similar ban in Louisiana, which would finally end legal cockfights in the United States. Hopefully this will encourage legislators in her state to give a similar bill another chance, after years of being thwarted by opponents.

Of course, inveterate cockfighters will likely go underground, making the issue one of enforcement, much like dogfighting. But at least we are on a path to see the bloodsport totally outlawed, which contributes ever so slightly toward shifting our society's stated values as to the acceptable use of animals. In the article on New Mexico's bill, opponents feared the slippery slope, and I sure hope their fears are founded. In response to State Sen. Phil Griego, a Democrat who opposed the ban, yes, let's move next to ban rodeos, then hunting and fishing. Same difference, ultimately.

You can see why the Humane Society of the United States is salivating over this development. It fits in with their strategy of incrementally chipping away at society's cruelty to animals, and allows them to claim precedent when going after other horrendous traditions. But how HSUS head Wayne Pacelle can call this the highest priority the organization has is beyond me. Millions of unwanted companion animals die in pounds every year, and surely that's an even higher priority than cockfighting. And don't even get me started about factory farming... But I realize HSUS picks the battles that go over well with their constituency, which brings me back to the companion animal issue... With all of their millions, it sure would be nice to see HSUS supporting no-kill shelters, trap-neuter-release programs, and working to end commercial pet breeding altogether.

Still, as long as Americans see animals as a means to our own ends, we will encounter great resistance to bans on more socially accepted uses of non-humans, such as for companionship, clothing, food, and entertainment.

Labels: animal law, cockfighting

NOLA.com: Senate approves cockfighting ban after lengthy debate

Interestingly, I spotted this news at NOLA.com, which is fitting, I suppose, considering Louisiana is the only other state where cockfighting remains legal. The 31-11 vote sends the ban to the House, where it has passed before. With Governor Bill Richardson's vocal support of the bill, it's pretty much a done deal. Finally.

Several groups, led by animal-rights activists, have been trying to get a ban passed in the state for more than two decades. The latest development adds momentum for a movement that even the cockfighters acknowledge is showing no signs of slowing.

"Politically, it's over with," said Ronald Barron of Artesia, president of the New Mexico Gamefowl Breeders Association. "But we'll file lawsuits. We've got a lot of money to do it."

Well, if you don't spend it on a last-ditch effort to save your pastime, I don't know what you are going to spend it on, since cockfighting's going to be illegal soon. It's a shame, though. All that money could be spent for a much better cause.

It's been informative watching the bill get watered down in order to assure its passage. Politics at work:

Penalties were reduced, so a first offense would be a petty misdemeanor, a second offense a misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent offense a fourth-degree felony.

It would be illegal under the bill to organize or participate in a cockfight. Spectators would not be subject to prosecution under an amendment that was adopted during the debate.

Opposition to the bill included concerns over a slippery slope on animal legislation, including worries "that rodeos and farm practices like branding, calf roping and castration could be the next targets for animal-rights groups." One can only hope...

Labels: animal cruelty, animal law, cockfighting

Ruidoso News (NM)

Controversial bill SB10 passed what was expected by some to be its toughest test yesterday when it was endorsed by the Senate Conservation Committee, which killed the bill two years ago. It still has to pass through the Judiciary Committee before heading to the Senate floor and then the House.

What made the hearing different this time was the sheer amount of turnout. The hearing had to be

moved from the normal committee room to the Senate chambers to accommodate the hundreds of people who came to Santa Fe to be heard on the bill. It was standing-room-only in the Senate gallery, with people lined up two and three deep behind the final row of chairs.

Debate was limited to 30 minutes for both supporters and opponents. Committee Chair-man Phil Griego, D-San Jose, explained that lawmakers have heard the debate several times in the past few years.

While the arguments this time were similar to those made in the past, Garcia had additional support for her bill this year, with Gov. Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Catholic Conference both joining the fight for the first time. She said there were also hundreds of phone calls made to lawmakers in support of the bill.

New Mexico and Louisiana are the only two states that allow cockfighting, though it is illegal in 13 New Mexico counties. The bill would add cockfighting to legislation outlawing dog fights, making both activities a fourth-degree felony.

With support from Governor Richardson, we know the bill would be signed into law should it pass both the Senate and the House. If you live in New Mexico, now's the time to make sure your representatives know you are against animal cruelty.

UPDATE

The New Mexican: Senate panel OKs cockfight ban

The cockfighting bill cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, 7-3, but not before decreasing the penalty for a first offense.

Before voting on the bill, the committee added an amendment making a first offense a misdemeanor for those who “cause, sponsor, arrange, hold, or participate” in a cockfight “for monetary gain or entertainment.”

Second and subsequent offenses would be considered fourth-degree felonies. Under state law, misdemeanors carry a maximum jail sentence of 364 days. Those convicted of a fourth-degree felony, the least-severe felony category, can serve as much as 18 months in prison.

[Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana] agreed to the amendment but noted that 33 of the 48 states that ban cockfighting make it a felony for first offenses.

The bill now goes on to the full Senate. Garcia said a final vote could take place by the end of the week. Look for a new entry at AAFL if and when that occurs.

Labels: animal cruelty, animal law, cockfighting