Cockfighting is a cruel and inhumane practice in which two or more specially bred roosters are placed in a pit to fight. Cockfighters pump the birds full of stimulants, affix razor-sharp knives or ice pick-like gaffs to their legs, and force them to fight to injury or death for the amusement and illegal wagering of spectators. Unable to escape the fight, no matter how injured or exhausted they are, the birds suffer punctured lungs, broken bones, and pierced eyes. Young children are often brought to these events and exposed to the gruesome spectacle as acceptable entertainment. They are also exposed to illegal gambling, drug traffic, and firearms-all of which are common at organized cockfighting derbies.

In Oregon, cockfighting is a Class A Misdemeanor, but it's not illegal to raise and breed gamecocks in Oregon. It is a misdemeanor to be a spectator at a cockfight.

For years, cockfighters argued that while cockfighting is illegal in Oregon, it was not illegal to ship fighting birds to states, U.S. territories, and foreign countries that allow cockfighting. Cockfighters used this loophole to undermine effective law enforcement, maintain a major cockfighting breeding industry within the state, and conduct illegal fights throughout the state. Given that there was no ban on possession of fighting birds, the state's anti-cockfighting law required that law enforcement personnel catch cockfighters in the act of fighting.

In May 2002, the Congress passed and the president signed legislation to ban any interstate transport or exports of fighting birds. This provision takes effect May 2003, and will forbid any Oregon cockfighting breeder from shipping birds to New Mexico, Mexico, Guam, or other jurisdictions that allows cockfighting.

Given that Oregon law bans fighting and that federal law bars any interstate shipment of birds for fighting, there is no logical reason for any Oregonian to maintain fighting birds. They can only be used for illicit purposes.

It is time to strengthen Oregon's law by making cockfighting a felony and banning possession of fighting birds and fighting implements. This change in our law would make our anti-cockfighting laws comparable to our anti-dogfighting laws. This change in the law is broadly supported by the public, editorial boards, humane organizations, and the law enforcement community.

HB 2086 would elevate cockfighting to a Class C Felony (same status as dog fighting) and prohibit the raising and breeding of gamecocks in the state of Oregon. Forty-eight states have outlawed cockfighting, with Oklahoma being the latest state to outlaw the activity; cockfighting is a felony offense in 28 states.

Cockfighting remains a rampant underground industry in Oregon. Law enforcement backs the adoption of a stronger law to crack down on this criminal activity.

" September, 2002, while Police raided a couple's home in Junction City for illegal drugs, authorities also found illegal weapons, fighting cocks and equipment, including a collection of gaffs and razor-sharp spurs. Both suspects were convicted felons.

" July, 2002, while Woodburn Police searched a home for stolen property, authorities found 158 rifles and pistols and uncovered a suspected cockfighting operation. Police found 100 roosters being bred for cockfighting and equipment that included sparring boots and blades.

" January, 2001, while Lane County police raided a man's home suspected of laundering money from an illegal drug business, they discovered an illegal cockfighting operation. Found were 30 roosters, sparring boots, steroids, and a videotape of a cockfighting event held at that residence a few weeks earlier.

" April, 2000, Coos County Police arrested 31 people gathered at a cockfighting pit. Fluorescent lights illuminated the two cockfighting pits in the barn and the concession stand selling hamburgers and hotdogs. Officers seized 100 roosters and boxes of gaffs - spurs and knives - weapons fastened to the roosters legs. After arrests, participants reclaimed their birds and gaff boxes.

" May, 1989, Oregon State Police arrested 348 people and seized more than $90,000 during a raid on a major cockfighting derby near St. Helens. Investigators seized weapons, drug paraphernalia, and cockfighting equipment. The site was equipped with bleachers, announcer's booth, concession stands and piles of dead roosters underneath the bleachers.

HB 2086 would raise penalties for cockfighting and clear up inconsistencies and weaknesses in our state animal fighting laws. Now that the federal government bans any interstate movement of fighting birds, there is no compelling rationale for cockfighters to raise and train fighting birds in Oregon.

Please support HB 2086!

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