QueenScoopalot
03-31-2004, 09:29 PM
VICTORY IN OKLAHOMA!
>
> On Tuesday (3/30), the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared Oklahoma’s
> anti-cockfighting ballot initiative constitutional, paving the way for
> the shut-down of the state’s numerous cockfighting pits. Although
> voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative to ban cockfighting
> in November 2002, cockfighters sued in dozens of district courts to
> block enforcement of the law. Tuesday’s ruling has put to rest any
> questions about the constitutionality of the law and makes Oklahoma
> the 48th state to outlaw cockfighting. “It is high time for the will
> of the people to be respected and the cockfighting ban implemented and
> enforced,” noted Michael Markarian, president of The Fund for Animals.
> HSUS’s Wayne Pacelle added, “No longer will it be legal to strap
> knives to birds’ legs, place them in a pit, and watch them hack one
> another to death – all for amusement and illegal gambling.” To date,
> Louisiana and New Mexico are the only states in which the blood sport
> remains legal.
>
> On Tuesday (3/30), the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared Oklahoma’s
> anti-cockfighting ballot initiative constitutional, paving the way for
> the shut-down of the state’s numerous cockfighting pits. Although
> voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative to ban cockfighting
> in November 2002, cockfighters sued in dozens of district courts to
> block enforcement of the law. Tuesday’s ruling has put to rest any
> questions about the constitutionality of the law and makes Oklahoma
> the 48th state to outlaw cockfighting. “It is high time for the will
> of the people to be respected and the cockfighting ban implemented and
> enforced,” noted Michael Markarian, president of The Fund for Animals.
> HSUS’s Wayne Pacelle added, “No longer will it be legal to strap
> knives to birds’ legs, place them in a pit, and watch them hack one
> another to death – all for amusement and illegal gambling.” To date,
> Louisiana and New Mexico are the only states in which the blood sport
> remains legal.