For Immediate
Release: May 20, 2004
Audio
Clip
Senator Frank Shurden
SENATE PASSES COCKFIGHTING BILL
The Oklahoma State Senate passed a measure
Thursday that will give Oklahomans another chance to vote
on the cockfighting issue. Senate Bill 835 by Senator Frank
Shurden, D-Henryetta, would reduce the penalty for cockfighting
from a felony to a misdemeanor.
"The law was not well written," said Shurden.
"We send people to prison for far less time for crimes
such as the rape of a child. The punishment doesn't fit
the crime, and I don't think this is what the voters intended."
Under current law, people who simply own game fowl, or any
equipment or apparatus designed for birds or fowl, can be
charged up to $25,000 and 10 years in prison for each bird.
Under the provisions of SB 835, only those individuals found
participating in cockfights would be charged. The penalty
would be lowered from a felony to a misdemeanor. For the
first offense, violators could face up to six months in
a county jail, a $500 fine or both; the second offense would
be punishable for up to one year in a county jail, a $1000
fine or both; a third offense could lead to imprisonment
in a county jail for up to one year, a $2000 fine or both.
Spectators would be charged no more than a $100 fine.
"These are normal folks just trying to make a living,"
noted Shurden. "If this law isn't changed hundreds
of law-abiding Oklahomans will face felony charges unless
they slaughter their chickens."
SB 835 now moves to the House where it should be voted on
next week. If the House passes the measure, it will then
go to the Secretary of State's office to be placed on the
November election ballot.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
