Humane Organizations, Law Enforcement Groups Launch Major Statewide Campaign Against Cockfighting In Louisiana; Recent Poll Indicates Overwhelming Opposition to Cockfighting

4/7/2004

From: Rachel Querry of the Humane Society of the United States, 301-258-8255 or Rquerry@hsus.org, Web: http://www.hsus.org

NEW ORLEANS, April 7 -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the Louisiana SPCA, Louisiana Animal Control Association, and numerous law enforcement agencies are calling on the Louisiana legislature to make Louisiana the 49th state to ban cockfighting.

Representatives of the organizations have scheduled news conferences in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette today.

Survey data released by The HSUS and the Fund for Animals demonstrates that a strong majority, 82 percent, of Louisiana voters support a proposal to ban cockfighting. Only 12 percent oppose such a prohibition.

"The only opposition to cockfighting is among a small but vocal group of individuals who find enjoyment in watching two roosters hack each other to death," said Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president at the HSUS. "Cockfighting is a gruesome and inhumane practice that commands no meaningful public support from voters in Louisiana."

"I hope that my colleagues join me in supporting this bill to ban cockfighting," said Rep. Karen R. Carter (D-93), who introduced H.B. 681, which would ban holding and attending cockfights, breeding fighting roosters, transporting them or possessing cockfighting implements.

"I support House Bill 681 to ban cockfighting in Louisiana," said Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee. "As you all know, I love the sport of hunting and fishing, but cockfighting is not a sport. We're one of only two states in the nation that still allows this barbaric practice, and when this law passes, my office will vigorously enforce the ban on cockfighting."

"Any type of animal abuse is wrong," said Eddie J. Jordan Jr., Orleans Parish District Attorney, "and I fully support this and any legislation banning animal abuse of this kind."

Added Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff William C. Hunter: "I support any and all legislation against incidents of animal abuse in our society, and that includes cockfighting." Sheriff Hunter plans to attend the press conference.

"Louisiana has a long history of protecting animals from cruelty and abuse and the state long ago made most acts of animal cruelty a felony," said Michael Markarian, president of the Fund for Animals. "There's no reason to exclude cockfighting from prohibited acts of animal cruelty."

The poll demonstrated that support for the cockfighting ban is strong across all regions, political affiliations, income and education levels and ethnic groups. Support remains strong in rural areas, with 82 percent of residents of small towns and rural areas favoring the legislation to ban cockfighting. Support dips slightly among respondents identifying themselves as Cajun/French, with 72 percent of respondents supporting a prohibition on cockfighting. Even voters who have attended a cockfight don't believe it should be legal: 62 percent of respondents who had attended a cockfight also support a ban on the activity.

"Cockfighting is an embarrassment for this state," said Laura Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana SPCA. "As more and more states ban cockfighting, increase penalties, and enforce animal fighting laws, the industry will undoubtedly grow here unless the legislature acts now."

David Marcantel, president of the Louisiana Animal Control Association, stated, "Cockfighting is a barbaric practice, and it should be outlawed in our state."

If this legislation passes, cockfighting will be legal only in parts of New Mexico. Last week, Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a voter-backed initiative that banned cockfighting in 2002. Cockfighting groups tied up the measure with numerous lawsuits, blocking implementation until now.

Hill Research Consultants conducted the poll of 503 likely Louisiana voters from March 27-29. The survey has a margin of error of (plus or minus) 4.4 percent. The Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals commissioned the poll.

In addition to the humane and law enforcement organizations' backing, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Chicken Council have both declared cockfighting inhumane and support measures to combat it.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's Largest animal protection organization with more than eight million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The non-profit organization, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, D.C., and has 10 regional offices across the country. On the web at: http://www.hsus.org.