Louisiana and its Cockfighting
lentini(at)legis.state.la.us, larep024(at)legis.state.la.us, larep019(at)legis.state.la.us, larep032(at)legis.state.la.us, larep021(at)legis.state.la.us, larep007(at)legis.state.la.us, larep18(at)legis.state.la.us, hdowns(at)legis.state.la.us, larep013(at)legis.state.la.us, larep047(at)legis.state.la.us, larep041(at)legis.state.la.us, larep020(at)legis.state.la.us, larep038(at)legis.state.la.us, larep037(at)legis.state.la.us, webreps(at)legis.state.la.us, larep060(at)legis.state.la.us, larep074(at)legis.state.la.us
Senator Arthur J. "Art" Lentini
P.O. Box 94183
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Rep. Joe Salter
State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 94062; Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9062
Francis C. Thompson, Chairman (D-19)
Herman Ray Hill, Vice Chair (D-31)
John F. "Andy" Anders (D-21)
Beverly G. Bruce (D-7)
Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr. (D-18)
Hollis Downs (R-12)
James R. Fannin (D-13)
Mickey Frith (D-47)
Mickey J. Guillory (D-41)
Lelon Kenney (D-20)
Eric LaFleur (D-38)
Dan W. "Blade" Morrish (R-37)
Jack D. Smith (D-50)
Karen Gaudet St. Germain (D-60)
Michael G. Strain (R-74)
Dear Senator Lentini, Representative Salter, and Louisiana's House Agriculture Committee:
In early April the U.S. Senate passed the Animal Fighting Prohibition nforcement Act to install felony penalties for selling, buying, transporting or receiving animals over state or international lines for animal fighting purposes. With cockfighting recently outlawed in New Mexico, Louisiana is the only state left to condone fatal fights between birds.
I urge Louisiana legislators to heed overwhelming opposition to cockfighting. In Louisiana, 82% advocate a ban. In Lafayette, where cockfighting is prolific, 77% of citizens feel this cruel "entertainment" ought to be prohibited. The entire nation clearly objects to cockfighting, as evidenced by its illegal status in 49 states. When will Louisiana represent the mainstream interests of its constituents and beyond?
Senator Lentini, I commend your ongoing crusade to illegalize cockfighting. I understand your comprehensive bill, S.B. 39, criminalizes cockfighters as well as spectators. As you know, anti-cockfighting legislation typically winds up in the Agriculture Committee, whose members have historically voted to retain the blood sport.
Thus, I call upon Speaker of the House Joe Salter to move Senator Lentini's bill into the House Judiciary Committee where it can be appropriately evaluated as a matter of crime and punishment. Please consider the public safety, economic, and animal welfare issues at stake.
Cockfighting is a lesson in violence. To intensify aggression, cockfighters dose roosters with stimulants, steroids, and blood-clotting drugs. They arm birds with razor-sharp gaffs to extend feet up to 3 inches. In the ring, birds shred each other's lungs, livers, wings and legs. They gouge out eyes and detach spinal cords.
The cockfighting industry exhausts taxpayer dollars and threatens legitimate agriculture. Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), a highly transmutable avian disease, spreads through the interstate transport of fighting birds and has cost millions in containment and compensation.
Movement in game fowl is also linked with the deadly Avian Influenza (AI). Veterinary experts with U.S. poultry companies view smuggled gamecock as the "hot button" to ignite a bird flu epidemic here.
Animal fighting networks are associated with drug trafficking, prostitution, illegal gambling and firearms sales. With the legislature's 2007 session underway, I respectfully ask Louisiana lawmakers to support a conclusive, immediate ban on cockfighting.
Yours sincerely,
