Sen. Arnold’s SB 11 elevates attending an animal fighting contest from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. Current law regards attending an animal fighting contest as “cruelty to animals” as a Class A misdemeanor – raised to Class D felony if the person attending is also in possession of an animal.
Probably has something to do with living with dogs most of my life; but I have no patience for being cruel to animals for sport. I probably get worked up less than I should when the poor living conditions are for a useful purpose — e.g. mass produced pork and beef — but, without even that justification; you’re just getting your kicks off of watching animals damage each other, let those folks rot in jail.
True story: When I lived in Oklahoma for a couple of years 37 years or so ago, there was a Bill to outlaw cockfighting. One legislator rose in opposition, averring that the first thing the commies do when they take over is outlawing cockfighting. (I did not have the impression that he was poking fun.)
So, Doug, at long last I get to call you a commie. ;-)
If there are any who do not believe that cock fighting and other forms such as dog fighting are not happening in Indiana they need to look around better. Ever see a place where individual birds are staked out with small “houses”, know a place where a large number of vechiles are setting outside a barn or other building (and it ain’t to have a square dance). From experience can attest to the violence of the sport and to the nature of the birds bred for this “sport”. (Not from observation or participation but from agreeing to take care of some birds seized in a raid.) Likewise, might want to look up the “spurs” placed on in some fights. Let us say it is not a gentle sport and there is plenty of blood involved.
Jack is correct. It still happens. I know where a “gentlemen” that raises and fights gamecocks live.
New Mexico recently outlawed it and legislators where met with stiff opposition from traditional Spanish communities in Northern New Mexico where cockfighting is a rather disgusting tradition.
I am a vegetarian, however, so my tolerance for most uses of animals is very low.
Although I didn’t find any statistics as to how many cases of animal abuse or animal fighting occurs in Indiana, I do read about it ocasionally in Starke County.
I did find some statistics having to do with child abuse though at http://www.pcain.org/statistics.asp
2009 Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Reports:
Child abuse: 110,431 reports with 24,754 substantiated