Tightening Cockfighting Laws
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Updated: 10:07 PM Jan 28, 2008
Tightening Cockfighting Laws
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)
Legislation to toughen the state's laws against animal fighting cleared its first legislative hurdle on Monday.
Posted: 6:56 PM Jan 28, 2008
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Legislation to toughen the state's laws against animal fighting cleared its first legislative hurdle on Monday.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources unanimously endorsed a bill that would make cockfighting a felony. The panel sent the bill to the Courts of Justice Committee for further examination.

As it now stands, cockfighting is illegal only if gambling is involved, and then it's just a misdemeanor.

The proposed legislation also would outlaw possession of any device or substance to enhance an animal's fighting ability and make it illegal to allow a juvenile to attend an animal fight.

Supporters of the bill say the Michael Vick dogfighting case proves something needs to be done.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Danielle Location: elkton, va, 22827 on Nov 14, 2008 at 05:12 PM

i think we could be able to cockfight because there is nothing wrong with it thats what there here for and were not lhurting anyone so i dopntk tlhink theyi have ma right to stop us
Posted by: mama Location: va on Jun 25, 2008 at 08:17 PM

My husband and I raise game chickens and I do agree with "josh" everyone everywhere is wrong about cockfighting. My husband fights his roosters and they are by no means trained, it is bred in them to fight like they do. It is not like we make them do it, if they don't want to then the handler knows it and want fight no more. I think that the governor passed it for spite. He is no good anyways, maybe in 2 years we will get a "sportsman" governor and he/she will overturn the whole bill.
Posted by: josh Location: virginia on Feb 19, 2008 at 12:41 PM

i own game chickens and people have it all worng about the sport of cockfighting. it is a sport that has been around for years presidents have dont this on th front lawn of the white house. they say we train the birds to fight this shows what they know the birds fight on instinct it born in them to fight. if you pass the law to band fighting them what are we to do with them ship them to the white house and let them "KILL" were they have no chance to live their life like if they stay with me and others like me. a slaugter hen only live 38 day before being KILLED hens on my farm could live many years before they die and roster are going to live for at least 2years and more at least they have a fighting chance to live unlike slaugter chincken who have no choses thank you for you time
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