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| Garrison Hilliard |
40 in court for rooster bouts
A crackdown in Kentucky won't quell illegal cockfighting, enthusiasts say
The Associated Press
WELLINGTON, Ky. - More than 40 people charged in an April raid at a suspected
cockfighting operation are scheduled for court hearings Monday in Montgomery
County.
In all, more than 500 people were cited in the raid on the Jeffersonville farm
owned by Marvin Watkins.
But many who raise chickens for the sole purpose of participating in the brutal
blood sport argue that no amount of enforcement will ever stop cockfighting in
Kentucky.
"Fights go on every day," said Pam Elkins, who breeds fighting birds in Menifee
County. "It's not going to stop."
Kentucky is one of 48 states that has outlawed the practice. An official with
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an animal rights group, calls the
activity "ancient Rome with rifle racks and beer," describing supporters of the
sport as "cruel and heartless."
Chicken fighters have started their own organization, the United Gamefowl
Breeders Association.
Pam Elkins and husband, Wayne, live off a densely wooded road near Cave Run
Lake. About 30 roosters scratch and peck in the front and back yards. Perhaps
200 others are on a "sister farm" nearby.
Pam Elkins said unlike dogs and cats, which provide companionship, roosters are
born to fight each other, and the biggest challenge is keeping them apart so
they don't kill one another.
Martin Mersereau, manager of PETA's domestic animal abuse department in Norfolk,
Va., says the sport bears little resemblance to what might happen in the wild.
Chickens are doped up with amphetamines, blood-clotting drugs and steroids,
among other things. While they might fight over mates, food or territory in the
wild, they wouldn't fight to the death.
In a pit, where each bird has a handler and there is a referee, there is no
escape.
"So long as they feel pain and suffering, that is the issue we need to focus
on," said Mersereau, who calls chicken fighters "sadists and cowards."
The Elkins' roosters fight with gaffs, which resemble ice picks and mimic the
birds' sharp natural spurs. They cause puncture wounds in opponents but cause
little blood loss.
Some cockfighters arm their roosters with knives, but the Elkins believe that's
crossing the line. So are "peck fights," in which unarmed roosters do battle,
because they cause more severe damage to the birds, the Elkins said.
Cockfights are largely social gatherings, the Elkins said.
"Compared to people in government, chicken fighters are a better class of
people," Wayne Elkins said.
The couple said they don't make any money from breeding. They spend more on
veterinary bills, antibiotics and feed than they take in from the operation.
Cockfighting is a felony in 31 states but a misdemeanor in Kentucky, punishable
by up to 12 months in jail and a $500 fine.
Kentucky outlawed the practice in 1893.
PETA urged prosecutors to throw the book at those cited April 16, but a judge
ruled they could pay a $50 fine and $145.50 in court costs. As of Friday, 252
people had done so, but dozens of others want their day in Montgomery District
Court.
A total of 42 will have hearings Monday. Watkins is scheduled to be in court
June 13.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs....334/1059/NEWS01
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| dkrug |
Garrison Hilliard wrote:
> 40 in court for rooster bouts
> A crackdown in Kentucky won't quell illegal cockfighting, enthusiasts say
>
>snip
> While they might fight over mates, food or territory in the
> wild, they wouldn't fight to the death.
>
My roosters have fought to the death over these things. My chickens are
free to go wherever they want and so have lots of room to avoid one
another, but I have had roosters kill each other. They have plenty of
space, hens and food. Roosters just like to fight. ( I am not condoning
cock fighting so don't flame me)
Debbie
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