The Humane Society of the United States and U.S. Senator David Vitter Urge Swift End to Cockfighting in Louisiana
Today, the Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill to ban any gambling at cockfights, dealing a blow to cockfighting enthusiasts who attend the fights both for the bloodletting and the wagering. Sen. Art Lentini, the leading opponent of cockfighting in the legislature, was the author of S.B. 221.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Today, the Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill to ban any gambling at cockfights, dealing a blow to cockfighting enthusiasts who attend the fights both for the bloodletting and the wagering. Sen. Art Lentini, the leading opponent of cockfighting in the legislature, was the author of S.B. 221.
Approved previously in the Senate by a unanimous vote, S.B. 221 was approved today by a House vote of 84 to 17. A poison pill amendment to delay implementation of the gambling ban, pushed by cockfighting advocates Rep. Eric LaFleur and Rep. Jack Smith, was narrowly defeated by a vote of 43 to 54. The Humane Society of the United States ( HSUS ) expressed its thanks to Rep. Francis C. Thompson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and to Rep. Daniel R. Martiny, for leading the fight to pass the gambling ban and to defeat the hostile amendment.
"Gambling and the bloodlust are the two engines that drive cockfighting, and the legislature has now taken a step to ban the gambling at the cockfights," states Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "This is a good day, but now lawmakers should finish the job and impose a swift end to legal cockfighting in the state."
Legislation to ban cockfighting is jeopardized by a dispute between the House and Senate on the matter. The Senate passed an immediate ban on cockfighting, and the House has passed a one-year postponement of cockfighting. The HSUS supports an end-of-year ban as a mid-point between the House and Senate positions, and urges the House and Senate to adopt that position as a compromise position.
"If the House is not willing to adopt a six-month ban on cockfighting, it is apparent that the legislation will die and another session will pass without legislation to ban this barbaric activity," added Pacelle. "It is time for the House to compromise, and not bend over backwards to accommodate the wishes of cockfighters."
The dispute in the legislature also sparked a reaction from U.S. Sen. David Vitter, who has been a long-time opponent of cockfighting. "Louisiana is the last state in the country to allow cockfighting, and this practice casts a negative image of our state that hurts our ability to bring in good jobs and foster economic development," said Vitter.
Vitter and the rest of the Louisiana Congressional delegation favored a federal bill, enacted in May that established an immediate ban on any interstate transport of cockfighting implements and immediately toughened the federal penalties for interstate transport of animals for fighting.
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Note: Reporter's seeking additional comment from Sen. Vitter should contact his press secretary, Joel DiGrado at 202-224-4623, or by e-mail: joel_digrado@vitter.senate.gov
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org
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Martin Montorfano, 301-258-3152
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