Two people file challenge to initiative petition

Tuesday, February 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Two people filed a challenge with the Oklahoma Supreme Court Monday to an initiative petition to ban cockfighting in Oklahoma. Tom Hargus, a Shawnee resident who is involved in raising and breeding roosters and James T. Tyler of Blanchard made the filing.

The 7,000-member Oklahoma Gamefowl Breeders Association is expected to file a challenge against the petition Tuesday. Larry Oliver, attorney for the game fowl breeders, said the group will challenge the signatures and the constitutionality of the initiative petition. The document, which the Oklahoma Coalition Against Cockfighting circulated, has 99,309 signatures. The coalition needs 69,887 valid signatures and must overcome any legal challenges to get the issue on a statewide ballot.