Heated debate on cockfighting in Oklahoma

One of the most heated issues on next week's ballot is the proposed ban on cockfighting. Oklahoma is one of only three states where fighting roosters is legal. <br><br>And the proposed ban on the

Thursday, October 31st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

One of the most heated issues on next week's ballot is the proposed ban on cockfighting. Oklahoma is one of only three states where fighting roosters is legal.

And the proposed ban on the ballot is causing a heated, fierce and very emotional battle between both sides. News on Six anchor Craig Day will have a report later tonight on the News on Six at 10 AM looking at the issue.

By now, we've all seen commercials on television or heard them on the radio, both for and against the cockfighting question. People on both sides of the cockfighting issue are very passionate about their arguments. Cockfighting opponents say roosters slashing each other to the death in a pit is not a sport. Instead they say it's cruel and barbaric.

Cockfighting supporters say animal rights activists are out of control, and that the cockfighting measure was initiated by out of state interests. Kelly Barger, cockfighter "Clandestine areas somewhere with old men sitting on hay bales with spit running down their face and whiskey bottles everywhere, it's not that. But that's the picture animal rights activists have painted and people believe because they don't know any better."

Steve Eberle, Oklahoma Coalition Against Cockfighting "It's not a sport. Sports are things like football and baseball and American pie. This is not a sport. This is a cruel, cruel barbaric, inhumane activity."

Opponents of state question 687 say they fear animal rights groups won't stop with cockfighting, and will target hunting, fishing and rodeos next. Many supporters of 687 say that's not going to happen.