Governor Bill Richardson recently announced his commitment to banning the blood sport of cockfighting in New Mexico, one of only two states in the U.S. where it remains legal. "The people of New Mexico want it to happen," he stated at a press conference last week. "Not only will I support a ban, but I will actively try to make it law." Senator Mary Jane Garcia plans to introduce a bill to outlaw cockfighting in an upcoming session

Continental Airlines Aids Cockfighting Cruelty

While it is common for roosters to face off to determine their respective places in the pecking order, they do not normally fight each other to the death. Trainers of "gamecocks" exploit this trait by breeding birds to be aggressive and pumping them full of stimulants like strychnine and testosterone as well as blood-clotting drugs to make them fight longer. Their natural spurs are sawed off and replaced by razor sharp steel blades called gaffs to make fights more "exciting" for spectators. This results in gruesome injuries—including broken wings and legs, punctured lungs, severed spinal cords and split eyes—and, in most fights, the death of one or both opponents. Cockfights are also a breeding ground for other criminal activities such as illegal gambling, and weapon and drug dealing.

Several past proposals to ban cockfighting in New Mexico have failed, defeated by the intense lobbying efforts of those who profit from the betting that goes on at these events. However, recent polls show that as many as 81% of New Mexicans support a cockfighting ban, and the Governor's active endorsement has already drawn greater public attention to the issue. Legislators who have voted not to outlaw these cruel competitions in the past may therefore find it harder to justify their opposition to a ban this time around.

What You Can Do:

- Governor Richardson announced his support of a ban on cockfighting as one of several new proposals to improve the treatment of animals in New Mexico, including upgrading animal shelters throughout the state, expanding spay/neuter services and launching a pilot program to teach schoolchildren about caring for and respecting animals. Please Take Action to thank Governor Richardson for making animals a priority of his administration.

- New Mexico residents: Please Take Action to ask your state legislators to support the cockfighting ban when it is introduced for a vote. Also contact your elected officials by phone and postal mail. Get their mailing addresses and phone numbers.