Weird Factoid about Cockfighting in Oklahoma

Cockfighting was illegal in Oklahoma until 1963, when a judge ruled that chickens are not animals and therefore unprotected by anticruelty laws.

~U.S. News & World Report, 6 December 1999

Cockfighting Rings Busted in South Carolina

They've charged three dozen people in one of the largest cockfighting busts in years.

Cockfighting Exists in Pacific Northwest

You can never overlook Washington State. It is known for its serial killers...why not cockfighting too?

Woo hoo!

The Snohomish County sheriff's office says 92 roosters, hens and chicks that were found sick and living in deplorable conditions had to be destroyed.

Det. Larry Cole says they were euthanized and cremated after a raid Wednesday on a farm near Snohomish suspected of raising game fowl for cockfighting.

The 46-year-old owner was released pending a decision from prosecutors on possible animal cruelty charges.

Deputies were tipped to the farm by the Humane Society of the United States that found the farm's Web site advertising birds "ready for the pit."

At the farm, Cole says, deputies found evidence that the birds were being given drugs and hormones to make them more violent.

Anti-Dog Fighting Bill Introduced in Guam

Get this, though, it's to protect the HUMANS.

A bill that seeks to criminalize dog fighting on the island has been introduced. The measure’s author, Senator Ray Tenorio says he wants the law on the books to prevent attacks on children and adults from the animals. He says several sources have confirmed there are currently underground fighting rings.

AND he supports cock-fighting.

And while animal-rights activists nation-wide equate cockfighting and dog fighting, Tenorio doesn’t see the need to ban the local sport just yet, saying cockfighting is a cultural activity and the potential for dogs to attack is higher than roosters.

Photo by acberkheiser.

Tennessee Looks at Making Cockfighting a Felony

Right now, cockfighting is just a misdemeanor. Hopefully that will change with a new bill before the legislature.

The cockfighters want the legislature to maintain the existing misdemeanor penalties for cockfighting. It seems they have no problem paying a small fine when they get caught; to them, it's simply the cost of doing business. On the other hand, a strong felony law would actively deter people from cockfighting and put them out of business.

Lets hope they do the right thing.

Major League Players Involved in Cockfighting

Animal cruelty and irresponsible behavior is not limited to the NFL. Now it's affected Major League Baseball with two players, Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Giants Hall of Famer Juan Marichal, shown in a YouTube video releasing two roosters for a cockfight.

It's happening in the Dominican Republic where the activity is legal and, just like Japanese whaling, a "cultural tradition."

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent letters to both pitchers Thursday, calling on them to publicly apologize. The Humane Society of the United States said, "Major League Baseball should join us in condemning Martinez and Marichal for their shameful example."

"I understand that people are upset, but this is part of our Dominican culture and is legal," Martinez said in a statement issued by the Mets. "I was invited by my idol, Juan Marichal, to attend the event as a spectator, not as a participant."

In the video, which was posted Tuesday but has since been taken down "due to terms of use violation," the animal released by Martinez appears to be killed at a fight in the Santo Domingo Cockfighting Coliseum.

PETA also sent a letter to baseball Commissioner Bud Selig urging all major-league players and staff to take its animal sensitivity training course.

Sensitivity training? Dream on. Here's what PETA got instead.....

The Mets said in a statement that while they don't condone the sport, they understand it is part of other countries' cultures.

Photo by ireallylovecake.

PETA Pickets Cockfighting in Philippines

And the solemnity of the occasion was only broken by some guy in a chicken costume.

Animal rights activists on Tuesday picketed the venue of an international cockfighting derby in the Philippines, calling for a ban on the "cruel blood sport."The demonstrators from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) were led by one member dressed in a yellow chicken costume. They held banners that read "Small Men Hurt Little Birds. Ban Cockfighting!"

"While other countries have banned cockfighting or are cracking down on the cruel bloody sport, the Philippines' image is being tainted internationally for allowing animals to be tortured in the name of sport," PETA said in a statement.

Enough with the costumes already. I know it gets attention, but it just seems silly.

Now the Spaniards, they protest buck naked. But don't get your hopes up, the link is to the Catholic World News.