Cockfighting bill clears final hurdle

Carlsbad,NM -- A bill that would ban cockfighting in New Mexico cleared its final committee hurdle on Monday when it was endorsed 8-1 in the House Judiciary Committee. Minority Whip Daniel Foley, R-Roswell, cast the only vote in opposition to the bill.

Judiciary Committee members attended the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee meeting on Saturday, where the bill was endorsed on a 6-2 vote. Judiciary Committee members were able to participate in that meeting, and did not take public testimony Monday.

The endorsement came after just a couple of questions for Senate Majority Whip Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana, who is sponsoring the bill.

Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, said he was "a little puzzled" at an amendment providing protection for spectators at cockfights. He wanted to ensure that rules for dog fighting didn't change.

The cockfighting prohibition will be added to current law prohibiting dog fights, but will not change laws as they apply to dogs. While dog fighting is a fourth-degree felony on a first offense, cockfighting would be a petty misdemeanor on the first offense, misdemeanor on the second offense and felony on third.

Rep.

Gloria Vaughn, R-Alamogordo, supported the bill, but said she has heard concerns from police and sheriff's officers wondering how they would enforce the new law.
The bill passed 31-11 in the Senate, and is now cleared to be heard on the House floor. Because of a technical change made in the Agriculture Committee, it would have to go back to the Senate for approval of that change if passed by the House.

http://www.currentargus.com/ci_5311964

 

pitifull just pitifull,that was a part of new mexico's history forever and they just took it away like it was nothing.

 

Several years ago I had the chance to spend 3 months in Colima, Mexico with my Mexican "family" (People I grew up with) While down there I got to see several of these matches.. of course its legal down there.. but it was interesting to say the least.. I've never seen roosters that big before it was crazy. I've got to admit though as big as I am.. while visiting my friend's uncle I was chased around the yard and had to jump into the back of a pickup truck to get away from a crazy gamebird.. still have a set of scars on my calf from that damn thing..

but that being said its sad that something that is such a part of a State's history is being done away with by these liberal AR'ers

 

Yeah, well... just watch New Mexico try and enforce that one! Trust me... it's on the bottom of their list of law-breaking concerns!