BLOOD SPORTS ARE STILL LEGAL IN MISSOURI!
HISTORY
In 1873, the Missouri legislature outlawed the "sport" of cockfighting.
In 1984, a spectator at a cockfight challenged the law, and in 1985 it
was overturned because of vagueness. Over the past 12 years, every
effort to reinstate the law with more precise wording has been defeated
in the state legislature due to heavy lobbying by cockfighters.
COCKFIGHTING
During a cockfight, gamecocks armed with razor-sharp gaffs, and often
drugged, are placed in a pit to attack each other, while spectators gamble
on the bloody outcome. Children are often present at these gruesome
events. Cockfights are carried on in secret; they are not advertised
to the public. Participants pay an entry fee, and large sums are
frequently involved in wagering.
MISSOURI'S IMAGE
Cockfighting is very much alive and widespread in Missouri. There
are several active cockfight "pits" across the state, yet many Missourians
don't even know cockfights take place. Missouri is one of only five
states where this cruel activity is still permitted.
THE INITIATIVE PETITION
An initiative petition is now underway to allow voters to decide (in
November 1998) if they want to ban cockfighting and other forms of animal
fighting in Missouri. Under this law, "baiting" refers to the practice
of setting one or more animals against another animal (usually tethered)
to train or cause them to fight for purposes of entertainment and wagering.
Under the proposed new law:
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Any person convicted of animal fighting or baiting would be guilty of a
felony
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Any person convicted of being a spectator at an animal fighting event would
be guilty of a misdemeanor
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Any person convicted of owning, selling, or manufacturing cock-fighting
implements (such as gaffs) would be guilty of a misdemeanor
-
Breeding and owning game fowl would still be allowed, as long as the birds
are not intended for cockfighting.
BEAR WRESTLING
The initiative would also outlaw bear wrestling, which involves a wrestling
contest between a bear and one or more humans. These bears are usually
declawed and defanged. These "contests" often take place in bars where
spectators gamble on the outcome.
SUMMARY
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Cockfighting is legal in Missouri
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Cockfighting events are conducted in secret and are not advertised to the
public
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Children are frequently brought to these events
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Cockfights often involve drugs and heavy wagering
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Cockfighting is cruel and inhumane, and should be against the law.
HELP US MAKE COCKFIGHTING ILLEGAL AGAIN!
Please support this initiative petition to give voters in Missouri
the chance to say "NO" to cockfighting and all forms of animal fighting
once and for all in Missouri.*
For more information, contact:
Missourians Against Cockfighting
11939 Manchester Road, #130
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
1-888-98-CRUEL (toll free)
* You must be a registered voter in the State of Missouri to sign the
petition or gather signatures.
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