Senate passes legislation to ban interstate transfer of birds for cockfighting

<br>WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Senate Wednesday approved legislation that would ban the interstate transfer of birds for cockfighting. <br><br>The House passed the same cockfighting legislation last year when

Thursday, February 14th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Senate Wednesday approved legislation that would ban the interstate transfer of birds for cockfighting.

The House passed the same cockfighting legislation last year when it passed its version of the farm bill. It is part of the farm bill again this year.

Federal law prohibits the shipment across state lines of most animals for fighting purposes, but birds can be shipped to one of the three states where cockfighting is still legal _ New Mexico, Oklahoma or Louisiana.

Supporters of the bill say the loophole gives illegal cockfighters in the other 47 states an easy defense when confronted by police: They were merely raising the birds for shipment.

The legislation would also ban exports of birds or dogs for fighting, and increase penalties for animal fighting violations.