KY: Trooper on Tape -- At Cockfight

Trooper on Tape -- At Cockfight <table class="contentpaneopen"> <tbody><tr> <td class="createdate" valign="top"> Tuesday, 23 February 2010 22:30 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <input src="http://www.wtvq.com/images/2010/100223_cockfight.jpg" align="right" height="133" hspace="4" type="image" vspace="4" width="200">The U.S. Humane Society Tuesday took to the state Capitol Rotunda to unveil a video showing cockfighting in Clay County - with a state trooper on hand.

John Goodwin said the video was taken earlier this month and in January of 2009. They say the video also shows a local constable at the cockfights.

"The Humane Society of the United States is very concerned about the state police being present at this cockfighting pit in uniform. We believe it sends a very bad image that law enforcement is tolerating this," said Goodwin.
A state police spokesman confirms a trooper was there - but said he was there to see if drugs or alcohol were being used.

There are critics of state laws dealing with cockfighting on both sides of the debate who say it's ambiguous. Last year, after an investigative report in which ABC 36 went undercover with the Humane Society, a judge threw out charges against hundreds of spectators.

Here's how a portion of the law reads:
(A person) is guilty of 2nd degree cruelty to animals (if he) subjects any animal to or causes cruel or injurious punishment through abandonment, participates other than as provided in another state law in causing it to fight for pleasure or profit (including, but not limited to being a spectator or vendor at an event where a four legged animal is caused to fight for pleasure or profit)….

It's worth noting the operator of the Montgomery County ring accepted a plead deal and a two-year suspended sentence.
But Lexington defense attorney Stephen McFayden points out potential weaknesses in a later section that provides exemptions for animals used for food and sporting activities.

Goodwin seemed to acknowledge those concerns.
"We've got a law that some believe is ambiguous, we have a situation where uniformed officers are hanging around a cockfighting pit -- nothing's being done," he said. "There's a very simple fix -- pass House Bill 169 and this problem will go away."

House Bill 169 would make forcing all animals to fight a minor felony - and attending such events a misdemeanor. The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Joni Jenkins of Louisville, has not made it out of the House Judiciary Committee.

Trooper on Tape -- At Cockfight
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