Alabama, Yuor cockfighting vacation destination

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/04/cockfighting_lobby_looks_to_de.html

Cockfighting lobby likely to derail bill that would stiffen penalties for crime

Alabama's cockfighting lobby appears to be on the verge of blocking yet another bill that would impose stiffer penalties for the crime, the bill's sponsor said.

State Rep. Jim Barton, R-Mobile, said that while House Bill 74, which would elevate the offense from parking-ticket levels to hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars in fines and potential jail time, has passed through committee, it probably won't be considered by the full House. The pressure, according to Barton, has come from the Alabama Gamefowl Breeders Association, which has helped derail similar bills in recent years.

"Alabama has more important things to worry about than cockfighting," said D'Renda Lewis, the association's secretary.

Not only are the $20 to $50 maximum fines for cockfighting currently on the books sufficient, they shouldn't even apply to most cockfights in Alabama, which are not held in public places and are, therefore, legal, according to Lewis.

"The majority of people who participate in cockfighting in Alabama are not doing anything against the law," Lewis said.

Mindy Gilbert, Alabama state director for the Humane Society, said Alabama has the weakest cockfighting penalties in the nation, and as a result has become a destination for cockfighting. She added that she is exasperated to see cockfighting supporters lobby lawmakers to go easy on criminal activity.

Just don't cross the streams, and you're fine.

I live in Alabama. We have problems here. I don't know where to start...probably with pretty much every politician being a complete idiot, a crook or both.

But parts of the state are really scenic.

My political leanings are mostly conservative, but I find zero excuse for animal abuse. If you want to bet on a pit fight, put a couple humans down there. Is it still wrong? Of course. But at least humans have the capacity to understand what they've signed up for and to get some reward other than just surviving 'til the next fight.

How is it not a felony already?

Hey there are parts of the country more backwards than OK!

when I lived in Panama city a neighbor had cocks... only one reason to own a cock in the part of town we where in... i HATED those things... so wanted to pop em with my pelet gun... they crow all night long... stupid birds

You need your Fighter in Alabama because No Nipple Clips allowed

cock, block, and stiffen, all in the same HEAD line.

I've heard they are quite fond of pigs down there though:

sorry

In reply to aircooled:

That is Georgia.

Wally wrote: Alabama's cockfighting lobby appears to be on the verge of blocking yet another bill that would impose stiffer penalties for the crime, the bill's sponsor said.

Cockfighting + Blocking = Cockblocking?