Oklahoma Lawmakers Reignite Debate on Cockfighting Penalties with New Legislation!

Race Day Live In Oklahoma, new bills aim to change the laws around cockfighting, a practice where roosters are forced to fight for entertainment.

These bills, introduced by lawmakers, suggest lowering the penalties for participating in cockfighting.

Some even propose letting roosters fight robots instead. However, many people oppose these ideas, saying they promote animal cruelty.

Since 2002, Oklahoma has treated cockfighting as a serious crime. It’s a felony to own or train roosters for fighting, with penalties of up to 10 years in jail and $25,000 in fines. Opponents argue that easing these laws sends the wrong message.

Rep. Justin Humphrey, one of the bill authors, says he’s not trying to legalize cockfighting but wants to reduce the penalty to a misdemeanor.

He believes the current punishment is too harsh, comparing it to penalties for drug crimes. He tried to pass a similar law last year, but it didn’t succeed.

Another lawmaker, Sen. Tom Woods, has proposed a bill to make the first two cockfighting offenses misdemeanors.

A third offense would still be a felony. He believes this change would help law enforcement prosecute cases more easily.

Animal rights activists strongly oppose these efforts. Brendan Hoover from the Kirkpatrick Policy Group says reducing penalties makes the crime seem less important.

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Kevin Chambers from Animal Wellness Action warns that cockfighting could spread bird flu because birds are moved across state lines for fights.

Public opinion is also against cockfighting. A recent poll showed over 70% of Oklahoma voters want it to remain a felony.

Activists argue that cockfighting is animal cruelty and has no place in modern society.

Supporters of cockfighting claim it’s part of their heritage, but opponents, including law enforcement, highlight its links to other crimes like drug trafficking and illegal gambling.

Despite the controversy, Oklahoma’s cockfighting laws remain a hot topic, with strong opinions on both sides.

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