Friday, October 03, 2008

C'mon Arkansas...

One of the remaining minority of U.S. states where animal cruelty is still only a misdemeanor may change. Several attempts to upgrade animal cruelty to felony status have failed in Arkansas over the past few years. In what appears to be a creative compromise effort for the next legislative session, the new bill would create the category of "aggravated animal cruelty", which would be a felony, for more severe cases. It would also upgrade the misdemeanor penalties for other cases.

Perhaps most notably, the proposed measure also would make cockfighting a felony. Last I checked, only about three states did not have laws on the books prohibiting cockfighting (although I vaguely recollect at least one state enacting a ban fairly recently).

Read more in this article by Andy Davis of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

CORRECTION: Thanks to blog reader Tracy H. for pointing out that the ban on cockfighting has finally reached all fifty states, although it is not yet a felony across the board. Read more on the last state to ban the bloodsport, Louisiana, in this August Times-Picayune article by Ed Anderson.

4 comments:

Tracy H. said...

Cockfighting is illegal in every state. Louisiana was the last one, and it became illegal there this year.

A said...

You're right - thx!

Unknown said...

Harmon Leon, a correspondent for Orato.com, "infiltrated" one of the last legal cockfights in Louisiana. His story and video about the experience can be viewed here: http://www.orato.com/lifestyles/2008/10/16/keep-your-laws-my-cockfight. This piece is not for the faint of heart, but gives a fascinating look into the mentalities of those involved in this "sport."

ROOSTER said...

YOU PEOPLE SO AGAINST IT SHOULD NEVER EAT ANOTHER PIECE OF CHICKEN AND GO CHECK OUT HOW KFC BRUTALY KILLS CHICKENS FOR THOSE 11 HERBS AND SPICES YALL BEEN EATING ON AND FOR THAT MATTER WHAT ABOUT BULLFIGHTING???