Cockfighting bill status

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state senate adjourned Thursday without taking up a bill that would reduce the penalty for cockfighting. <br><br>Senator Frank Shurden of Henryetta had planned to bring the bill

Friday, May 23rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The state senate adjourned Thursday without taking up a bill that would reduce the penalty for cockfighting.

Senator Frank Shurden of Henryetta had planned to bring the bill up again.

Shurden's bill failed Monday on a vote of 23-to-15.

25 votes are needed for passage in the Senate.

The bill would reduce the penalty for a first-offense cockfighting conviction from a felony with up to one year in prison to a misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Shurden says most Oklahomans believe the penalties in the cockfighting ban approved by voters last year are too severe.