Cockfight planned for Saturday on Indian land

(Chickasha-AP) -- A cockfight is planned for Saturday in Cotton County despite a state law banning the blood sport.<br><br>Mike Turner is organizing the fight and says it's legal because it's on

Thursday, April 15th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Chickasha-AP) -- A cockfight is planned for Saturday in Cotton County despite a state law banning the blood sport.

Mike Turner is organizing the fight and says it's legal because it's on American Indian land, which he says is exempt from the state law.

But the assistant chief of the Comanche tribal police disagrees. Vernon Griffin says it's a misdemeanor under Indian law to stage fights between animals.

Griffin says he's not sure if the planned cockfight is on land under Comanche jurisdiction, but says his agency will enforce the law.

Turner is director of the Kiowa Association for the Preservation of Cultural and Rural Lifestyles. He says the movement is trying to protect the rights of Indians and non-Indians not just on cockfighting, but for farming, rodeos and the use of animals for religious purposes.

Voters approved the cockfighting ban in November 2002. Violators can be sent to prison for up to ten years and fined up to $25,000.