optid
Feb-27-2007, 06:55 AM
Cockfighting is an organized fight between two roosters presented for its entertainment value. The roosters are fitted with spurs or blades on their legs, placed in a ring or pit, and fight until at least one of them is severely hurt or killed.
This practice is now banned in 48 states, and New Mexico may become the 49th to prohibit it. A bill in the state legislature has cleared its first hurdle. If it passes both houses, Gov. Bill Richardson has promised to sign it.
The Santa Fe New Mexican (http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/57543.html) published this Associated Press story about it on its site.
2007 Legislature: Cockfighters' pleas fail to sway vote
By DEBORAH BAKER | Associated Press
February 25, 2007
Ban on sport has only one more stop before it reaches the full House
A ban on cockfighting in New Mexico cleared a House committee on Saturday, leaving one more stop before it would reach the full House for a vote.
The House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee voted 6-1 to pass the bill along to its next stop, the Judiciary Committee.
The measure outlaws a practice that supporters insist is part of New Mexico tradition and that opponents call a bloodsport.
New Mexico is one of only two states where cockfighting is legal. The other is Louisiana.
"The entire nation has its eyes on New Mexico right now to see if this Legislature has the political courage to ban cockfighting," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Mary Jane Garcia.
Cockfighters made emotional pleas to the committee to kill the bill.
"By passing this ban, you rob us of our identity, our tradition," said Luis Sevilla of La Union, his voice cracking.
Sevilla said he is a graduate of New Mexico State University in electrical engineering who decided to stay in Southern New Mexico to work for two reasons: family and cockfighting.
"New Mexico is one of the only states to respect our right to practice our tradition," Sevilla said.
Garcia disputed the argument that cockfighting is part of a Hispanic heritage.
"I know about being Hispanic in a rural community," said Garcia, a Democrat from the tiny Southern New Mexico village of Doņa Ana. "Cockfighting has never been part of my culture and my community."
The ban's supporters said cockfights are venues for illegal gambling and underage drinking.
Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White called cockfighting "a brutal act" and urged passage of a statewide ban.
"This is not about culture. This is not about urban versus rural. ... This is animal cruelty," White said.
The proposed ban has been around for more than two decades, but it picked up steam this year with endorsements from Gov. Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Opponents also include Attorney General Gary King, who "believes from a legal standpoint and policy standpoint we should not allow illegal gambling and extreme animal cruelty to go unrestricted and unpunished," Assistant Attorney General David Thomson told the committee.
Jack Cairnes, a former Washington state legislator who now lives in Hobbs, told lawmakers that cockfighting is "a wholesome family hobby."
He said 95 percent of cockfighters are Hispanic and a ban is "clearly racist."
Jim Nance of Socorro County said a ban on cockfighting would pave the way for attempts to ban hunting, roping, fishing and cattle-branding.
It's part of an agenda of animal-rights activists who want "a meatless, petless society where animals are equal to humans," he said.
"It's about criminalizing time-honored traditions. It isn't about chickens," Nance said.
The bill would make it illegal to participate in a cockfight. A first offense would be a petty misdemeanor, a second offense a misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent offense would be a fourth-degree felony.
Voting to pass the bill along without a recommendation were Chairman Andy Nunez, D-Hatch, and Reps. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock; Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces; Jimmie Hall, R-Albuquerque; Dona Irwin, D-Deming; and Larry Larranaga, R-Albuquerque.
Voting no was Don Tripp, R-Socorro.
This practice is now banned in 48 states, and New Mexico may become the 49th to prohibit it. A bill in the state legislature has cleared its first hurdle. If it passes both houses, Gov. Bill Richardson has promised to sign it.
The Santa Fe New Mexican (http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/57543.html) published this Associated Press story about it on its site.
2007 Legislature: Cockfighters' pleas fail to sway vote
By DEBORAH BAKER | Associated Press
February 25, 2007
Ban on sport has only one more stop before it reaches the full House
A ban on cockfighting in New Mexico cleared a House committee on Saturday, leaving one more stop before it would reach the full House for a vote.
The House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee voted 6-1 to pass the bill along to its next stop, the Judiciary Committee.
The measure outlaws a practice that supporters insist is part of New Mexico tradition and that opponents call a bloodsport.
New Mexico is one of only two states where cockfighting is legal. The other is Louisiana.
"The entire nation has its eyes on New Mexico right now to see if this Legislature has the political courage to ban cockfighting," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Mary Jane Garcia.
Cockfighters made emotional pleas to the committee to kill the bill.
"By passing this ban, you rob us of our identity, our tradition," said Luis Sevilla of La Union, his voice cracking.
Sevilla said he is a graduate of New Mexico State University in electrical engineering who decided to stay in Southern New Mexico to work for two reasons: family and cockfighting.
"New Mexico is one of the only states to respect our right to practice our tradition," Sevilla said.
Garcia disputed the argument that cockfighting is part of a Hispanic heritage.
"I know about being Hispanic in a rural community," said Garcia, a Democrat from the tiny Southern New Mexico village of Doņa Ana. "Cockfighting has never been part of my culture and my community."
The ban's supporters said cockfights are venues for illegal gambling and underage drinking.
Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White called cockfighting "a brutal act" and urged passage of a statewide ban.
"This is not about culture. This is not about urban versus rural. ... This is animal cruelty," White said.
The proposed ban has been around for more than two decades, but it picked up steam this year with endorsements from Gov. Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Opponents also include Attorney General Gary King, who "believes from a legal standpoint and policy standpoint we should not allow illegal gambling and extreme animal cruelty to go unrestricted and unpunished," Assistant Attorney General David Thomson told the committee.
Jack Cairnes, a former Washington state legislator who now lives in Hobbs, told lawmakers that cockfighting is "a wholesome family hobby."
He said 95 percent of cockfighters are Hispanic and a ban is "clearly racist."
Jim Nance of Socorro County said a ban on cockfighting would pave the way for attempts to ban hunting, roping, fishing and cattle-branding.
It's part of an agenda of animal-rights activists who want "a meatless, petless society where animals are equal to humans," he said.
"It's about criminalizing time-honored traditions. It isn't about chickens," Nance said.
The bill would make it illegal to participate in a cockfight. A first offense would be a petty misdemeanor, a second offense a misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent offense would be a fourth-degree felony.
Voting to pass the bill along without a recommendation were Chairman Andy Nunez, D-Hatch, and Reps. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock; Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces; Jimmie Hall, R-Albuquerque; Dona Irwin, D-Deming; and Larry Larranaga, R-Albuquerque.
Voting no was Don Tripp, R-Socorro.