The Oklahoma state Senate is working on a bill that would reduce the penalties for cockfighting under a ban that was approved by voters last November.
The proposed change would reduce cockfighting from a felony to a misdemeanor. The bill was put forth by state Sen. Frank Shurden after another bill of his that would have legalized cockfighting in those counties that voted against the ban was headed to failure.
Shurden told Oklahoma’s KOCO Channel 5, “It is wrong to make felons out of people for raising chickens.”
The penalty for participating in a cockfight under Shurden’s bill would be reduced to a $500 fine and up to a year in jail. Attending a cockfighting would carry a maximum penalty of a $200 fine.
Source:
Measure would ease cockfighting penalties. ChannelOklahoma.Com, February 20, 2003.