Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04
Posted on 04/22/2005 1:02:25 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
AUSTIN — Spurred by the biggest dogfight bust in recent Texas history — in eastern Bexar County last January — a San Antonio lawmaker is trying to increase penalties for those who engage in or profit from rooster and dog bouts.
Under the proposal, House Bill 2222 by Democratic Rep. Jose Menendez, people involved in dogfights or cockfights or who share in their earnings or allow their property to be used for them could be charged with a state jail felony.
Currently such offenses are misdemeanors. The bill also would increase the penalty for being a spectator at such events from a Class C to a Class A misdemeanor.
"We are trying to cut down on these 'sports activities' because they are cruel and barbaric. Animals are abused and law enforcement needs additional tools," such as a greater deterrent, to curb what is already illegal, Menendez said.
Law enforcement officers have said that in breaking up dogfights and cockfights, they often find cash, drugs, and weapons as well as evidence of gambling and money laundering, he said.
Menendez said he was particularly bothered that police sometimes find children at the events.
Officers from across the state, including two from the Bexar County Sheriff's Department, were scheduled to testify at a hearing before a House Criminal Jurisprudence subcommittee late Thursday. If the panel approves the measure, it will go to the full committee.
A group that says it represents the "gamefowl industry" was opposed to the bill.
In the Bexar County raid, five persons were arrested and 20 others cited for being spectators, while 90 pit bulls, including 40 puppies, were seized.
Menendez also cited statements from Tyler police who last month accused a man of involvement in a ring that stole house pets and used them as training bait for fighting dogs.
"The police found dogs, house pets, with their mouths taped shut that were mauled and killed by the fighting dogs 'practicing,'" Menendez said.
He said the bill's cockfighting provisions are aimed at ensuring the safety of the poultry industry, because birds who fight foreign-raised birds could contract and spread exotic Newcastle disease and avian influenza, which could devastate domestic poultry operations.
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ggarcia@express-news.net
Put a tail on 'em!
Texas Lege Ping!
Please let me know if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
It is not exactly on target but one of the bird flu deaths in Thailand last Fall was a man sprayed by blood at a cockfight. It can be big business there what with the gambling and all.
As well, it can turn violent when a party doesn't pay their debt as this is a gambling practice.
Needs some pings.
I'm not familiar with this 'gamefowl industry'; but maybe there was language included in the bill that would spill over into hunting? And 'that' is what the gamefowl industry was opposed to?
::just guessing::
Two or three years ago in California an outbreak of Newcastle's was caused by game cocks that were smuggled in from Mexico.
Dogfights, cockfights come under
House spotlight (Texas)
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1389260/posts?page=8#8
I think it was last year, there was an article posted here at FR about vendors at fleamarkets in Texas that had poultry for sale and they ended up being infected with bird flu. Birds were smuggled in from Mexico.
I've never been to a cock fight (nor do I need to see one).
Do they at least eat the birds afterwards? Or is it 100% senseless (vs. 99% senseless).
Meeks, any idea how we could see a copy of the bill?
Hmmmm, hmmmm .....I dunno.
Unbelievable!
"Meeks, any idea how we could see a copy of the bill?"
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79r/billtext/HB02222I.HTM
Boudreaux waz sent to investigate de cockfightsDown around de Texas-Louisiana border, dere has been a recent rash of illegal cock fighting, wit’ queete a bit of gambling. De director of de Louisiana State Police finally bent to public pressure and sent an investigator to get to de bottom of de problem.
De crack investigator, Boudreaux, took an unmarked cruiser and headed for Mamou. He waz gone for two days and arrived back in Baton Rouge to report to de director.
He reported dat dere were tree major groups involved in de illegal cock fighting - Texas Aggies, Cajuns and de Mafia.
Of course, de boss wanted to know how he surmised dis, and he replied dat he knew dere were Texas Aggies involved when he saw someone enter a duck into de fight.
He knew dat dere were Cajuns involved when someone bet on de duck.
He den stated dat he waz absolutely poseetive dat de Mafia waz involved when de duck won!
So the animals are just multilated for nothing??? They don't even give the them to a hungry family??
::rhetorical outrage::
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