Louisiana Legislators See Through Ridiculous "Chicken Boxing," Pass Tougher Cockfighting Law

<p>Flickr: russellstreet</p>
<p>Flickr: russellstreet</p>

A ludicrous (but serious) attempt to legalize the "sport" of "chicken boxing" has failed in the Louisiana legislature, thanks to a majority of lawmakers who pushed to tighten the state's ban on cockfighting instead of creating loopholes for offenders. On Tuesday, legislators passed a non-controversial bill that strengthens existing animal cruelty provisions for cockfighting, responding to an earlier proposed bill that would have legalized the practice of pitting two chickens against one another while each dons a pair of tiny rubber "boxing gloves."

"Cockfighting is a violent blood sport with devastating consequences for the victimized birds who are forced to fight to the death for the entertainment and financial gain of those involved in this cruel industry," said Sherry Rout, state director of ASPCA Government Relations for the Southern region. "The ASPCA thanks Louisiana state lawmakers for enhancing the penalties associated with this illegal activity, and we strongly urge Governor Jindal to sign Senate Bill 523."

The bill was proposed on behalf of the Humane Society of the United States, which heads one of the largest efforts to end cockfighting across the country. HSUS, along with ASPCA and other animal welfare groups, called out the chicken boxing bill as a "creative excuse" open to cockfighters seeking reduced penalties. The organization's new law, however, will rule out the legalization of any sport that involves chickens in combat with one another.

HSUS's state director for Louisiana Julia Breaux called the bill one of the "best animal fighting laws in the region," according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "This state will never again be a refuge for those who engage in these cruel spectacles where roosters are forced to fight to the death," Breaux said.

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