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Pressure building against
cockfighting
April 19, 2007
Three anti-cockfighting bills introduced during our state's 2007
legislative session, and passage of the federal Animal Fighting
Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007, which includes increasing the crime
to a felony, beg the question: "Is this finally going to be the year
that Louisiana outlaws cockfighting?"
The tide suggests that lawmakers are responding to the call to end an
activity that blemishes our state's reputation. We are the only state in
the country that has yet to outlaw cockfighting. New Mexico did so last
month.
After recent passage by the full Senate of the Animal Fighting
Prohibition Act, Sen. David Vitter echoed the concerns of many.
"Louisiana is the last state in the country to allow cockfighting,"
Vitter said. "This practice fuels a negative image of our state and
hurts our ability to bring in good jobs and economic development."
When you consider that 82 percent of Louisiana's residents supported a
legislative ban against cockfighting as early as a 2004 poll by Hill
Research Consultants, it's obvious that over the past three years,
support has grown to wipe out a sport that it is barbaric and inhumane.
Proponents of the activity insist it's about roosters doing what comes
naturally, establishing a natural pecking order, and survival of the
fittest. It's hard for me to grasp the natural aspect of sharp knives or
gaffes strapped to a rooster's legs, and birds fighting to the death of
the weaker of the two.
It's even harder for me to accept roosters being thrown into pits and
forced to engage in the "sport."
Granted, there are people from parts of the state where the activity is
hailed as heritage who feel strongly that opponents of the activity are
forcing their beliefs on their culture and economy.
They may be surprised to learn that I was born and reared in Opelousas,
a hop, skip and a jump from the "cockfighting capital of the world," and
I was never introduced to the activity by my mom and dad or even a best
friend.
I don't think I was even aware of the activity until my late teens,
which points out the underground nature of the sport.
When I think of the cultural highlights of Southwest Louisiana, I think
of the amazing spirit of Zydeco music or the friendly nature of its
people that makes it easy for me to wave and say hello to a stranger
across the street.
Rather than being the only state that allows cockfighting, I can think
of many other titles that Louisiana would like to hold -- "best place to
live" or "best schools" or "the most improved in its treatment of
animals" to name a few.
Someone asked me with all that has to be done, why focus on
cockfighting? Rather than ranking society's ills, it's more about
gaining insight and evolving that comes with a civilized society.
It's about the evolving society that puts an end to past cultural black
eyes, like women not being allowed to vote, or inhumane child labor.
It's also about the insight that reveals that violence against animals
is often a precursor to violence against people.
I won't argue that ending cockfighting is the biggest piece of the pie,
but it's certainly a step toward evolving into a more civilized place
for our people and our animals.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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