Senate panel votes to close loophole in cockfighting law

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday passed legislation that would ban the transport of birds across<br>state lines for fighting, seeking to close a loophole in the Animal Welfare

Thursday, March 2nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday passed legislation that would ban the transport of birds across
state lines for fighting, seeking to close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act.

Cockfighting is illegal in 47 states, but under federal law birds can be shipped from states where the practice is banned to those where it's legal, where they can be used in fights.

Cockfighting is legal only in Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

The Senate bill is sponsored by Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., a veterinarian. The House version is sponsored by Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

"We are that much closer to eliminating the federal loophole that provides a smokescreen for illegal cockfighters in the 47 states where the practice is outlawed by state law," said Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president with the Humane Society of the United States.

"As a veterinarian I am concerned not only about the treatment of these animals, but also about the enforcement problems for the 47 states who have outlawed cockfighting," Allard wrote in a letter to other senators.

Peterson could not be reached for comment Thursday.

In the centuries-old activity, fighting roosters -- outfitted with blades on their heels -- are placed in a ring to slash at each other while spectators often bet on the outcome. The loser of the fight often dies.

The legislation has been endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Even
professional wrestler Bill Goldberg has weighed in.

"These animals have no choice," said Goldberg, an Oklahoma native. "It's sick."