Cockfighting pit opens to voters

Thursday, January 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

COLLINSVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- Registered voters with no cockfighting connections are getting a sneak peak at what the pit is like at the Collinsville Game Club. Club operators Clint and Stephanie Gruenwald are opening their doors to give outsiders a chance to experience the controversial activity.

The Gruenwalds said they are waiving the normal fees and barriers to anyone with a valid voter registration card because Oklahomans need to know what cockfighting is like in case it becomes the focus of a statewide referendum later this year. "Maybe this is what we have to do," Mrs. Gruenwald said of letting outsiders watch cockfighting.

Last month, cockfighting opponents completed a petition drive to bring a proposed ban on cockfighting to a vote. The Oklahoma Secretary of State's Office is trying to verify more than 105,000 submitted signatures. At least 69,887 valid signatures are needed to put the issue to a statewide vote.

Gruenwald said other operators of more than 40 pits in the state have supported their plan to let outsiders inside, but no one had matched the offer by Wednesday, the Tulsa World reported. Pit owners typically require membership in the Oklahoma Gamefowl Breeders Association and a membership to the club to get through the door.

But, Gruenwald said voters need to view the competitions where birds wear gaffs, or knives, and fight until one bird cannot continue. Gruenwald said he planned to allow first-timers through the door for the rest of the season, which runs into July. "Before they vote on it, they need to know what goes on," he said.