Stillwater, Ok April, 11 (The Oklahoma Post) –
State Rep. Justin Humphrey, of Lane, Oklahoma is attempting to get a bill through the Legislature that would reduce Oklahoma’s cockfighting penalties from felonies to misdemeanors. Humphrey along with David Hardin chair of the Criminal Justice and Corrections House Committee oversees the development of rejuvenating the cruel and illegal activity of fighting fowls in Oklahoma.
The proposed legislation also adds new fines of up to $2,000 for repeat offenders and redefines what is a actually an illegal battle between raging roosters. This in hopes of defining animal abuse as simple de minimus violations. Oklahoma Senate Bill 1522 requires birds to be fitted with artificial spurs, knives or gaffs to definitively qualify as cockfighting.
Numerous gleefully supportive constituents from places such as Payne and Woodward County have requested the bill, and the sponsors have received thousands of calls in support.
In 2002 Oklahoma voters banned cockfighting. At that time there were an estimated 42 authorized cockfighting arenas in the state and millions of fighting birds. The ban narrowly passed. Oklahoma was the 48th state to ban cockfighting, and because it was among the last, it became a gathering place for top fighters as recent as today.
Would you be okay with your State becoming a haven for illegal gambling and animal cruelty? What do you think is the real issue with the politicians voting yes on this bill? Let us know in the comments below.
(Writing by Rachel Meyer; editing by Robbie Robertson)
Copyright 2022 The Oklahoma Post
