New federal law further restricts cockfighters

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A federal law that restricts the shipment of gamecocks outside state lines took effect Wednesday. <br><br>It's another blow to Oklahoma cockfighters whose sport was outlawed

Wednesday, May 14th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A federal law that restricts the shipment of gamecocks outside state lines took effect Wednesday.

It's another blow to Oklahoma cockfighters whose sport was outlawed by voters last year.

The law removes an exemption that had allowed birds to be taken to fights in states where cockfighting remains legal _ currently New Mexico and Louisiana.

It also bars breeders from transporting game fowl to engage in fights in foreign countries.

Previously, only the shipment of birds from foreign countries to fights in the United States was illegal.

The law means owners in neighboring states can no longer legally bring their roosters to fight in Oklahoma pits.

The law also bars Oklahoma breeders from selling roosters to overseas markets or to New Mexico and Louisiana, if those birds are explicitly to be used for fights.