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Opponents of the legislation said they didn't believe people engaged in cockfighting should face a felony.
DAVID SWANSON/McCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
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A lobbyist told lawmakers yesterday that cockfighting clubs consider their roosters 'pets.'
DAVID SWANSON/McCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
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COCKFIGHTING DEFENDED
Group defends cockfighting before legislative committee
By CHELYEN DAVIS
Date published: 2/26/2008
RICHMOND --A cockfighting group yesterday asked a Senate committee to exempt their members from a bill adding new restrictions and penalties for dogfighting and cockfighting.
The Virginia Gamefowl Breeders Association, whose members are called "cockers" in cockfighting circles, wanted the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee to allow private clubs to continue cockfighting. The association represents nine cockfighting clubs, including one called "Jack's Hollow" in Culpeper County.
"Their sport's been here since Colonial times," argued lobbyist Scott Johnson. "When was the last time you, as a committee member, have been asked to do away with something that's been here since colonial times? A vote for this bill in its unamended form would end what these gentlemen have enjoyed for generations."
The bill would make cockfighting a felony, and increases the penalties for dogfighting as well. It comes after last year's high-profile conviction of NFL star Michael Vick for dogfighting.
The bill has had several hearings over the course of the legislative session, but this is the first time supporters of cockfighting have come forward.
Johnson said the association members regard their birds as pets, so much so that while some were in the audience, he claimed it would be too upsetting to them to testify.
"Words cannot express or accurately describe the affection that these families have for their roosters," Johnson said. "It's far too emotional for them to come to this podium and tell you what it's going to mean for them to get rid of their birds."
To demonstrate his point, Johnson gave committee members a picture of association president William-Bernard Britton with one of his roosters on his shoulder.
"I think that look on that bird's face and the look on Billy's face says it all," Johnson said.
Opponents of the amendment expressed surprise that anyone would publicly defend cockfighting.
"I was surprised that there would be a single elected official in this state who would offer an amendment to legalize cockfighting," said John Goodwin of the Humane Society.
He said the fact that people who engage in cockfighting attended the hearing proves that the penalties for illegal cockfighting--a misdemeanor--are too low.
"They don't fear the existing penalties," Goodwin said.
The amendment exempting the cockfighters was proposed by Sen. Philip Puckett, D-Russell, who said making it a felony to engage in cockfighting was going too far.
Date published: 2/26/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Are you kidding me?
(posted by
lisacorrine
, Feb. 28, 2008 9:45 am)
"Their sport's been here since Colonial times", so was slavery, no running water, no electricity and they drove around with a horse buggy. Wanna go back to THAT too? Are you completely retarded? Nitro is right - Sociopath fighting would definitely clean the genepool and get rid of some of these idiots.
Wow
(posted by
hvnlbrn
, Feb. 27, 2008 8:28 pm)
Sometimes we get a little more than we need in these articles. "I think that look on that bird's face and the look on Billy's face says it all." I haven't laughed so hard since the article last summer Remember the article about the guys flinging their tacos to the ground to help save the person drowning in the river. You know the one. Yeah, we all need to know the guy threw his taco to the ground. Great reporting, just like this tear-jerker on the roosters!
C0ckfighting is SICK!!!!!
(posted by
pinkphantom
, Feb. 27, 2008 1:16 pm)
Anyone who thinks this sort of thing should be allowed to continue is dead wrong. Perhaps the people who support this activity should be allowed to fight to the death. As Kristen said, it's good for the gene pool.
Nitro,
(posted by
Kristen
, Feb. 26, 2008 9:16 pm)
I have followed many on line comments over the last couple of years that I have lived here. Many folks on this thread have argued with me and against me. It's been great. I can say without a doubt your comment is the single most idiotic post I have ever read. You are a complete moron. You are cruel, ignorant and should be neutered and thrown into a pit of starving wild pigs. Hey it's a free country isn't it? That would be my sport of choice. Sociopath fighting. Good for the genepool!
nitro121
(posted by
citygirl123
, Feb. 26, 2008 1:35 pm)
"we need to legalize muslim fights though.. to til the death." how uneducated are you? you should really keep your fat fingers away from the keyboard. it's a good thing the internet is anonymous.
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