Cockfighter sees efforts to reinstate rooster fights

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The president of the Oklahoma Game Fowl Breeders Association says his group is still trying to revive cockfighting in the state.<br/><br/>At a Capitol news conference Thursday, Val

Friday, March 3rd 2006, 6:02 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The president of the Oklahoma Game Fowl Breeders Association says his group is still trying to revive cockfighting in the state.

At a Capitol news conference Thursday, Val Holland said he wants lawmakers to approve a bill that would allow counties to choose whether they want to allow the blood sport.

Holland said Henryetta Democrat Frank Shurden had agreed to offer an amendment on the state Senate floor in days to come to resurrect a measure that died in a state Senate committee this week.

Holland says cockfighting was a $100-million industry in Oklahoma and its demise has led to the closing of feed stores and other businesses in rural communities.

Cynthia Armstrong of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Cockfighting says the State Question that banned the sport has survived every legal test.

Oklahoma is one of 48 states to ban cockfighting.