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Before Oklahoma became one of the last places in the U.S. to outlaw cockfighting in 2002, it wasn’t uncommon to see hundreds of spectators packed into small arenas in rural parts of the state to watch roosters, often outfitted with razor-sharp steel blades, fight until a bloody death.

Over 20 years have passed since the ban was implemented, leading to concerns that Oklahoma may be weakening its stance.

A motion to decrease penalties for cockfighting was passed in the Oklahoma House. A committee is collecting funds to assist farmers who raise game birds. Republican Governor Kevin Stitt previously posted a video on YouTube endorsing the committee, known as the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission, and pledging his support from a distance.

The recent arrests for cockfighting in Oklahoma and other areas serve as a reminder that this illegal activity has not been eradicated, but rather has been forced into secrecy.

The authorities in Hawaii have made a commitment to increase law enforcement measures following a major mass shooting that occurred last year, marking one of the largest in the state’s history.

There was a shooting at a cockfight involving five individuals.

, with two fatalities.

Stitt mentioned that he produces numerous videos weekly and did not heavily consider his involvement. He clarified, “I do not support cockfighting in Oklahoma.” However, he also implied that he would be willing to lessen punishments if a bill is introduced by the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature.

The video unleashed bipartisan blowback across Oklahoma, including from former Gov. Frank Keating, a fellow Republican. Oklahoma football legend Barry Switzer — whose nickname in the state is simply “The King” after winning three national championships and a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys — also came after Stitt.

However, Anthony Devore, the leader of the Gamefowl Commission, is not discouraged by the criticism. He claims that his group, which boasts 15,000 members, is primarily made up of industrious individuals from rural Oklahoma. They have managed to gather over $70,000 to influence politicians and plan on implementing a similar strategy in other traditionally conservative states like Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Mississippi.

Devore stated that they and other individuals breed fowl for involvement in poultry exhibition and for the purpose of selling them as breeding stock to other countries. While cockfighting is prohibited in numerous nations, it remains lawful and favored in select Mexican states, the Philippines, and certain countries in southeast Asia.

“We are advocates for game fowl breeders who raise and care for game fowl, without promoting them for fighting,” stated Devore, an experienced game fowl breeder himself.

However, Devore acknowledged that a previous district director of their organization, who has since stepped down, was arrested and charged for organizing a cockfight in Carter County. The event was attended by over 100 people. The legal proceedings for this case are still ongoing.

Devore and other individuals acknowledge that they are functioning in a legal gray zone and state that lowering the consequences would eliminate the anxiety of being charged with a felony crime.

Troy Thompson, a previous educator and coach, is pleased to hear about the recent effort to increase bird production at his 55-acre ranch in Wilson, Oklahoma. The ranch features numerous white, tent-like structures and is located just 30 miles north of the Red River, bordering Texas.

Thompson, aged 50, stated that the chickens on his farm are provided with vitamins, access to green grass throughout the year, and the best quality feed that he can afford. These chickens are kept on foot tethers to prevent fighting amongst themselves. He believes that his chickens have a significantly better quality of life compared to those on conventional poultry farms, where they are confined to cramped cages and slaughtered at only six weeks old.

Last week, he mentioned that one of his roosters who was 10 years old passed away. He believes that living on his farm is a much better life for the roosters than being on a Tyson poultry farm.

During Thompson’s formative years, rooster fighting was a lawful activity and the hilly landscape of southern Oklahoma was filled with numerous farms. Thompson’s childhood T-ball team was named the Dillard Fighting Cocks.

He inquired if it would happen today. It is astonishing that you transitioned from being fully within the law to facing a sentence of 10 years in prison.

Despite recent efforts by law enforcement and prosecutors to target individuals who participate in and host cockfighting events, there have been relatively few instances where individuals have actually been sent to jail for this illegal activity. Busts have been reported in both urban and rural areas, but incarceration for cockfighting is uncommon according to prosecutors.

Greg Mashburn, the chief prosecutor for three counties in central Oklahoma, stated that there is likely a very small number of inmates in prison. “In the 18 years I’ve been a District Attorney, we’ve only had two cases,” he added.

However, Mashburn emphasized the significance of upholding anti-cockfighting laws as it typically involves a criminal element, including participation in illegal substance use and betting.

Mashburn stated that it is not only brutal to subject animals to this kind of treatment, but also raises the question: if we permit it for chickens, should we also allow it for violent dog or other animal fights?

However, some advocates for animal rights claim that other sheriffs and prosecutors in the area often ignore the issue. Despite the fact that a ban on cockfighting was approved in 2002 with a majority vote of 56%, 57 out of 77 counties in the state were in support of keeping the activity legal.

Drew Edmondson, a previous county prosecutor and attorney general in Oklahoma, currently holds the position of law enforcement co-chair for Animal Wellness Action. He explained that it is not surprising that certain elected leaders in Oklahoma, including sheriffs, may turn a blind eye to cockfighting.

He referred to it as a mix of finance and government.

According to him, it is a simple decision for local leaders to downplay and not treat as a severe offense when the majority of their county voted against the issue.

Source: cbsnews.com