Judge: Feds may ban interstate transport of fighting cocks

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) -- A federal judge in Louisiana says a law that cracks down on <b><a class="headlinelink" href="http://www.kotv.com/main/home/searchKOTV.asp?mainSearch=cockfighting">cockfighting</a></b>

Wednesday, June 1st 2005, 6:08 am

By: News On 6

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) -- A federal judge in Louisiana says a law that cracks down on cockfighting doesn't discriminate against Cajuns and Hispanics.

US District Judge Rebecca Doherty also ruled that the statute that makes it illegal to ship animals out of state for fighting doesn't violate the rights of people in Louisiana and New Mexico, where cockfighting is legal.

Voters in Oklahoma passed a law in 2002 to bar the blood sport in the state.

The measure imposes penalties of up to a year in jail and $15,000 in fines for anyone who ships an animal from one state to another or to a foreign country so that it can fight another animal.

The United Gamefowl Breeders Association contended that the law interfered with states' rights to decide whether to allow cockfighting and discriminated against ethnic groups for whom cockfighting is part of the culture.