HOUSTON – Texas lawmakers are hoping to ruffle the feathers of a bloodsport that’s illegal in all 50 states but thriving in Harris County.
Cockfighting operators can already face felony charges, but now, for the first time, spectators could be punished, too.
"There’s a perception out there that cockfighting is a problem in rural areas. However, we know for a fact that in Harris County, it is a problem," Assistant District Attorney Belinda Smith said.
The Humane Society of the United States conducted a year-long undercover investigation of cockfighting in Texas, recording video of some of the activities they witnessed.
"With cockfighting, we’re talking about something that has no socially redeeming value whatsoever," John Goodwin of the Humane Society said.
The results of the investigation were recently unveiled at the state capitol, where a bill that would tighten loopholes in the law was just passed by the House and is being considered by the Senate.
Unless the bill is passed, the policy on attending a cockfight will remain as it is today.
"It’s not illegal to attend a cockfight. It’s not illegal to train a bird to fight. It’s not illegal to promote," Smith said.
Right now, cockfights are promoted in glossy magazines entirely devoted to the bloodsport. One publication advertises gamecocks and eggs for sale.
Although that ad states that the eggs and animals aren’t for unlawful purposes, the editor of the publication wrote that legislators are playing political games with what was once known as the sport of kings.
In just over the past year, law enforcement agencies in Harris County have received 81 calls relating to cockfighting. In the past five years, the county has only been able to prosecute one case.
Until spectators are held accountable, which the new law would do, Smith said pursuing the cases "is just a big ole’ waste of time."
