Tribune Online News Story

Story ran on October 23, 1998

Editor, the Tribune: A very important issue is going to be placed on the ballot of this coming election Nov. 3. It is Proposition A, and it hopes to abolish animal fighting.

The proposition has been a difficult thing to accomplish because of the thousands of signatures required by the state to place it on the ballot.

More than 136,000 signatures were collected by volunteers who felt the cruelty involved in animal fighting.

Why is Proposition A so important? Because animal fighting is cruel, bloody and inhumane, and exists in Missouri though 45 states have already abolished it.

Dog fighting has already been abolished but other animal fighting takes place in Missouri.

Cockfighting is one of the bloodiest and most abusive sports. A cock is fitted with a 3-inch ice-pick-like gaffe to fight another bird similarly fitted out. Usually, the cock is left for dead or with gouged-out eyes, puncture wounds in his wings and broken bones. The fights are carried out in a cock pit in the remote Ozark area.

Bear wrestling is as cruel as any of the other animal fights. Bears are defanged and declawed usually late at night in taverns where the bear is used as a punching bag by drunken challengers. It is sad and unbelievable that in a civilized society these cruel performances take place.

Missouri should abolish them. Vote yes on Proposition A.

Animals and the Lord will bless you.

Mireya del Castillo

801 Independence St.