OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Coalition Against Cockfighting (OCAC) and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) applaud Oklahoma state senators for their quick action to block Senate Bill 776 from a committee hearing insuring its demise in the 2005 legislative session.
"It's gratifying to see the legislature take such a strong stance against a bill obviously designed to give cover to illegal cockfighting interests," stated Cynthia Armstrong, spokesperson for OCAC and The HSUS. "Thankfully, the senate has finally grown weary of Senator Shurden's repeated legislative attempts to allow cockfighting to continue unabated. We are hopeful that any future maneuvers by Shurden will be met with equally swift opposition in both houses."
The use of muffs for sparring roosters is not a new or acceptable activity and has been widely practiced for years as a training technique by cockfighters. These matches are currently against the law passed by Oklahoma voters in 2002, as are all fights between birds whether or not fitted with knives and gaffs. Even fitted with muffs, these roosters are still capable of delivering blows that will knock out eyes, break bones, and possibly even kill. OCAC and The HSUS also note that legalizing gamecock boxing would make enforcement of existing state and federal cockfighting laws nearly impossible. Cockfighters could simply claim they are raising and transporting gamefowl for the purpose of boxing rather than cockfighting, thereby avoiding prosecution.
"The overwhelming national press and attention given to Shurden's rooster boxing bill has done much to tarnish Oklahoma's image," added Armstrong. "The very idea that Oklahoma would condone gamecock boxing as a method to generate state revenue or as an entertainment venue to draw visitors is absurd and embarrassing. It's time we repaired our good name by making it clear that Oklahoma is no haven for animal fighting interests."
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 8.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, farm animals and sustainable agriculture.
