Bill to protect cockfighting won't be heard

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A bill giving constitutional protection to cockfighting won't be heard by the House Rules Committee this session, which essentially kills the bill. <br><br>Committee members

Thursday, March 29th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A bill giving constitutional protection to cockfighting won't be heard by the House Rules Committee this session, which essentially kills the bill.

Committee members say there's too many questions surrounding the bill.

Representative Jack Bonny says the bill wouldn't have called for a statewide vote until the 2002 general election, so there's no need to consider it now.

Bonny says the state Wildlife Department has problems with the bill because it could stop legislation that would aid hunters and anglers.

The proposal would amend the state constitution to give all citizens the right to pursue occupations and engage in hunting, fishing and other sporting events that involve livestock, fowl, fish and other animals.

The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Frank Shurden.