Senate Passes Farm Bill; Makes Attending an Animal Fight a Federal Crime

I did a little research, and it appears as if Cock Fighting is included.
The VI excluded Cock Fighting from their last Animal Cruelty legistation.
Now it will most likely be a FEDERAL crime.

I can't wait to see the local reaction to this.

One of my friends took his son to a cock fight on St. Croix - son 8 years old. Hearing that young man describing the gory death of one of the birds with tears in his eyes and telling me, "I don't want to go back" was enough for me to heartily support additional penalties for forcing a child to watch one of these things.

I did a little research, and it appears as if Cock Fighting is included.
The VI excluded Cock Fighting from their last Animal Cruelty legistation.
Now it will most likely be a FEDERAL crime.

I can't wait to see the local reaction to this.

I can't either and it's about time!

I did a little research, and it appears as if Cock Fighting is included.
The VI excluded Cock Fighting from their last Animal Cruelty legistation.
Now it will most likely be a FEDERAL crime.

I can't wait to see the local reaction to this.

What about Puerto Rico, where it is even more popular?

Whoa....good catch!!

I am downloading the bill now to read it, but if what you say is correct and the President signs it the Feds may be able to arrest people here. VIPD won't be able too but the few FBI agents we have here can...as CruzanIron said it will be an interesting wait and see thing.

This is a short article from Guam, where cock fighting is legal.

Federal bill may prohibit cockfighting on Guam

Thursday, 06 Feb 2014 03:00am
BY LOUELLA LOSINIO | VARIETY NEWS STAFF

SEN. Rory Respicio has asked for clarification on whether the recently passed federal farm bill would prohibit cockfighting on Guam.

In a letter sent to Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, the senator asked whether the federal farm bill directly attacks local cockfighting enterprises that are legally licensed under Guam law.

The final bill approved by both houses of Congress incorporates a provision “making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child under the age of 16 to an animal fighting event” including cockfighting.

The bill is now on its way to President Obama.

Respicio, in his letter to Bordallo, noted that the sport of cockfighting on the island has deep cultural roots.

"Cockfighting on Guam is a regulated enterprise that has substantial support from our people. It would be a continued travesty if our community was yet again subjected to this mandate from a Congress we have no vote in. Indeed, it would be another example constituting unwarranted federal interference in local affairs," Respicio wrote.

The senator added that it is unclear if the proposed federal mandate would apply to Guam, hence his request for Bordallo to clarify the new farm bill's impact, if any, on Guam’s cockfighting industry.

http://www.mvguam.com/local/news/33492-federal-bill-may-prohibit-cockfighting-on-guam.html

This is a short article from Guam, where cock fighting is legal.

Federal bill may prohibit cockfighting on Guam

Thursday, 06 Feb 2014 03:00am
BY LOUELLA LOSINIO | VARIETY NEWS STAFF

SEN. Rory Respicio has asked for clarification on whether the recently passed federal farm bill would prohibit cockfighting on Guam.

In a letter sent to Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, the senator asked whether the federal farm bill directly attacks local cockfighting enterprises that are legally licensed under Guam law.

The final bill approved by both houses of Congress incorporates a provision “making it a federal crime to attend or bring a child under the age of 16 to an animal fighting event” including cockfighting.

The bill is now on its way to President Obama.

Respicio, in his letter to Bordallo, noted that the sport of cockfighting on the island has deep cultural roots.

"Cockfighting on Guam is a regulated enterprise that has substantial support from our people. It would be a continued travesty if our community was yet again subjected to this mandate from a Congress we have no vote in. Indeed, it would be another example constituting unwarranted federal interference in local affairs," Respicio wrote.

The senator added that it is unclear if the proposed federal mandate would apply to Guam, hence his request for Bordallo to clarify the new farm bill's impact, if any, on Guam’s cockfighting industry.

http://www.mvguam.com/local/news/33492-federal-bill-may-prohibit-cockfighting-on-guam.html

Bleah. Just like Japan argues "cultural reasons" for its annual dolphin slaughter.

At some point culture should not mean torture and death of those unable to speak for themselves.

I wonder what our representative (Donna) has done regarding this same issue?

I'm sure that she'll find a way to blame the Republicans.

Well after going through all 17 pages I found the one-liner.

Prohibits any person from knowingly attending an animal fighting venture or causing a minor to attend such a venture.

So IMO after Obama signs it today the Feds can arrest those folks down the street from me that fights roosters every weekend. Right after they arrest the guys selling bootleg DVD's....(sigh) nice new FBI building on STX and still cant get enforcement. Would be nice if we had a local statute so then VIPD could enforce it....but senators not touching this one....

I haven't seen the DVD guys outside of K-Mart for a while.
Did they re-locate?

I saw them a couple days ago...if not in front then under the tree across the street

Well after going through all 17 pages I found the one-liner.

Prohibits any person from knowingly attending an animal fighting venture or causing a minor to attend such a venture.

So IMO after Obama signs it today the Feds can arrest those folks down the street from me that fights roosters every weekend. Right after they arrest the guys selling bootleg DVD's....(sigh) nice new FBI building on STX and still cant get enforcement. Would be nice if we had a local statute so then VIPD could enforce it....but senators not touching this one....

Well they need to "touch" it whether it's cockfights, dog fights or selling illegal DVDs because they are the ones OUT OF TOUCH!
We need enforcement here on so many levels it is pathetic.

There is no cultural history or heritage for virgin islanders to this unspeakable act of cruelty that is cock fighting or dog fighting.
Just because the Romans fed Christians to lions and people kept slaves does not mean it had to continue. People evolve from barbaric behaviors.

Not to mention the ridiculous license fee for this barbarism where illegal gambling and all sorts of goings on take place.
Time to put an end to it once and for all!

The bars are going to be really pissed off when they have to stop the crab races.

The bars are going to be really pissed off when they have to stop the crab races.

I would love to see the crab races end too. Crab races are sad events where children are taught it's okay to terrify animals for fun. Many crabs die in the process of starvation and stress.

Doesn't this mean that boxing is illegal. People are animals too!

Doesn't this mean that boxing is illegal. People are animals too!

Well, people have the power of choice. Generally no one is making them pound the heck out of each other.

That said, we all have seen the long-term effects of boxing. And retiring NFL stars are starting to band together too about what football has done to their brains and their bodies - I think I read where some of them are planning to sue, but I would need to double check the article.

From ancient Rome to modern USA, we love our violent gladiator sports. 😉

Spoke to the Gov's advisor...he will look into it and maybe issue a press release

Well it's about time. I'm glad to see that they are finally doing something to stop people from pitting animal against animal for sport or pleasure.

I hope the Gov. does the right thing in this case, especially since he does not have to PANDER for votes come election time which is why our illustrious senators don't often do the right thing. Face it, cruelty is cruelty. There is no diguise or packing it in any other form.

I dunno Alana...now I am trying to figure out how Guam came up with this....

http://www.mvguam.com/local/news/33512-bill-wont-affect-guam-cockfighting.html

it's this,,,,federal law shall not supersede or invalidate state, local or municipal laws related to animal fighting ventures.

The thing to remember is we are the Virgin Islands, not Guam.
I don't know what their culture dictates but the majority of Virgin Islanders do not consider this a cultural thing nor part and parcel of their heritage. There is nothing cultural to be proud of about setting animals to fight to their deaths and inflict extreme pain and agony in the process just so one can gamble on it. Wonder how much of those earnings are reported for taxes?
Just because Peter jumps off the cliff doesn't mean Paul must blindly follow.
It doesn't mean that those that refuse to see cock fighting/dog fighting as animal cruelty should be allowed to continue to do so.
It is outlawed in the majority of the states and rightly so.

Must we cater to small minds and continued barbarism to win a couple of votes here and there?
I'd really like to see a poll on how every senator views this law.
I am sure it would be another eye-opener.

They have the same status as us...they have a delegate like us...they have no vote like us...so why would this affect one and not the other?

Wishful thinking of an enlightened leadership??