It's time for Louisiana to ban cockfighting once and for all.

 

New Mexico recently made cockfighting illegal. This leaves Louisiana as the only state in the union that allows this barbaric display. Two state legislators have said they will support efforts in the upcoming legislative session to outlaw cockfighting.

 

Past efforts have failed. The session starts April 30. Sen. Art Lentini, R-Kenner, said earlier this month he will file the same bill he filed last year. It passed in the Senate but never made it out of a House committee.

 

Lentini is not a quitter. He has already written letters to Gov. Kathleen Blanco asking for her support to ban cockfighting.

 

Cockfighting entails tying razors to the legs of roosters which then spar to death while spectators take bets on who will win the fight.

 

"I am asking you to support my bill to put an end to this cruel practice which is so detrimental to the image of this state," Lentini wrote to Blanco.

 

Officials with the governor's office have said Gov. Blanco supports a ban on cockfighting and may have legislation filed to get rid of it. Lentini has also sent letters to all members of the House to determine what kind of support he has in that chamber.

 

Lentini may be getting a valuable ally in his efforts. House Speaker Joe Salter says he favors banning cockfighting over a two- to three-year period.

 

Salter said he believes it will be easier this time around to get a cockfighting banned because of New Mexico's decision.

 

"It was hard to justify when it was just two states. When we are the only one left, it is impossible, really," he was quoted saying recently.

 

Two other House members, Rep. Harold Ritchie, DBogalusa, and Rep. Mike Strain, R-Covington, have also said they plan to file similar legislation banning cockfighting.

 

The Lentini bill calls for a maximum jail term of six months and a fine up to $1,000 for a first offense. It further allows for the confiscation and auction of property used in cockfights if there are future violations.

 

The money from the sale would go to the State Police to use for investigations and enforcement of the cockfighting law. Cockfighting supporters argue it is part of Louisiana culture. They also say the reports that cockfighting is cruel to animals are overstated.

 

Sen. Donald Cravins Jr., DOpelousas, said he believes each parish should address if it wants cockfighting instead of banning it statewide.

 

"Cockfighting comes down to a local issue. Each parish can address it in its respective area," he was quoted saying recently.

 

We don't agree. Cockfighting is a cruel and bloody exhibition that results in the death of these birds. It should be outlawed statewide in quick fashion.

 

We urge the local legislative delegation to support Lentini's bill. Louisiana already has enough bad distinctions among the 50 states. Cockfighting doesn't need to be one of them.