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Victory: New Mexico Bans Cockfighting
Louisiana now only state where blood sport remains legal
In January 2007, IDA included an alert in our eNews asking animal advocates to support a proposed ban on cockfighting in the state of New Mexico. We are now pleased to report that the legislature passed this bill, and Governor Bill Richardson has signed it into law!
This victory is the result of many years of hard work by a wide range of animal advocates and political leaders as well as our members' efforts. Thank you to everyone who contacted the Governor thanking him for taking a strong stance against cockfighting, and all of our New Mexico readers who asked your state legislators to vote in favor of the bill.
When the bill goes into effect on June 15, 2007, New Mexico will become the 49th state to outlaw the vicious blood sport of cockfighting, leaving Louisiana as the only state where it remains legal. It's therefore no wonder that regional and national animal protection organizations are already marshalling their forces to wage a campaign to ban cockfighting in its last remaining stronghold. Governor Kathleen Blanco is in favor of signing a law outlawing the blood sport, and State Senator Art Lentini hopes to get enough support to introduce a bill this year.
A ban in Louisiana would be a truly historic triumph for the animal rights movement, because it would mark the final end of legalized cockfighting in the U.S. The drastic decline in support for cockfighting cruelty signals a shift in people's attitudes about animals and an ongoing dialogue in society regarding what constitutes humane treatment of other species. Banning cockfighting for good would be a powerful statement against the abuse of animals for entertainment.
What You Can Do
- Take Action to thank Governor Kathleen Blanco for favoring legislation to ban cockfighting. Also follow up with a polite letter, phone call, fax or email.
Office of the Governor
Attn: Constituent Services
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004
Telephone Numbers:
Tel: (866) 366-1121, (225) 342-0991, or (225) 342-7015
Fax: (225) 342-7099
Contact Webpage
- Louisiana residents: please Take Action to urge your state legislators to co-sponsor Senator Lentini's bill to ban cockfighting in Louisiana and to support it throughout the legislative process. Also follow up with a polite letter, phone call, fax or email. Get contact information for your state senator and representative.
- Learn more about the cruelty of cockfighting.