Ok, what happens if the courts find a guilty verdict and the animals are forfeited to the locality ? Wonder why they don't just make an ammendment & add that all conficated animals will suffer terrible treatment / deaths at the hands of the people that just saved them.
The state should not kill them (gamefowl), just check them for diseases, treat them, and place them in small cages where they cannot move, pump them full of steriods, etc... to plump them up. Then after about 6 weeks, chop their heads off while they are still alive & make fryers out of them. Just think we could feed all the convicts our jails are overflowing with. We could feed all the illegal immigrants and homeless people in our country. Problem solved, lock up the cockfighters (probably putting additional families on welfare), conficate their fowl. And instead of killing and throwing the confiscated fowls carcasses in the landfill, we can use them to feed overcrowded prisons/jails and the illegal aliens/homeless. To top it all off, before you know it the gamecock will be extinct and be a thing of the past. Then our legislators can work on some BS laws.

The really interesting fact about this bill is that it is submitted as a part of the AG's legislative package, which indicates to me that any comprehensive animal cruelty bill has a great deal of bi-partisan support. As we are aware, the AG is a conservative Republican who is probably is not all influenced by the twin bete noirs of the chicken fighting community, HSUS and PETA.

So, in this session, we are seeing a proliferation of animal-related legislative proposals. What this says to me is that in the wake of national embarassment over dogfighting and puppy mills, Virginia is finally serious about animal welfare issues (please note that the use of welfare in lieu of rights-the animal rights people make me a little crazy). The volume and bi-partisan nature of these bills suggest to me that at least one of them will become law.

Claire Ward , I am trying to understand what you just posted. But yes I can see where some issues have risin in Virginia in reference to dogs. These new bills are really not addressing that issue as much as they are trying to increase only the penalty for cock fighting which really has not been a big issue in Virginia in many years. When I turn on the TV I hear about the Vick case and I hear about a Puppy Mill, but I never hear about cock fighting troubles in Virginia. If you are correct in your prediction that one of the bills will pass I only feel that HB1232 is justifiable enough to pass, but not HB32, HB656, HB1057 or SB592. I feel that VA Code 3.1-796.125 correctly deals appropriately with game fowl. I am going to try a research how many cock fighting cases have been procecuted in Virginia in the last 10 years. I don't feel there are many if any on record.
I am just trying to reference back to some wording you used to help simplify it for the non political citizen whom are not familar with this type of wording.
bete noirs - One that is particularly disliked or that is to be avoided [French : bête, beast + noire, black.]
Bipartisanship
In a two-party system (such as in the United States or Australia), bipartisan refers to any bill, act, resolution, or any other action of a political body in which both of the major political parties are in agreement. Often, compromises are called bipartisan if they reconcile the desires of both parties from an original version of legislation or other proposal. Failure to attain bipartisan support in such a system can easily lead to gridlock, often angering each other and their constituencies.
proliferation- The proliferative phase of wound healing

So basically your saying that due to the recient black eye so to speak Virginia has took over the Micheal Vick case and the Puppy Mill issue both parties feel it should be on thier agenda to heal the wound that Virginia took by increasing the penalties on any animal cruelty laws. Am I correct on this?
Please note the black eye came from Dog related issues, not game fowl related issues and should be addressed as such. Until there is a reasonable problem with the game fowl industry the current law VA Code 3.1-796.125 deals appropriately with the issue, it is and has already been addressed and has not been a problem in Virignia for many years. But when attaching game fowl to the dog or companion animal type bills I feel is uncalled for when VA Code 3.1-796.125 deals with game fowl in depth. I have always beleived that a dog is suppose to be mans best friend, I know I love mine and they love my family and protect them and they love and protect my game fowl from varmits looking for a free meal. Dogs have many purposes in our world. And no where in history have I found where any of our founding leaders or presidents have ever been associated with fighting dogs. On the other hand our history and culture are loaded with game fowl use by alot of historical men who set the ground work for our country and what it stands for today. Many of the greats were Virginians and you already know who they were. The game cock has been bred for thousands of years and really the only way to stop it from doing what comes natural to it is to make the species extinct (Which I hope never happens). The wording to Own or Possess with intent to fight really strikes a nerve with alot of game fowl breeders and cockers, because honestly they all will fight, even the hens. Does this not set us up for the kill so to speak? I invite you to my farm, or better yet i will help you set up a small back yard flock, we can incubate some eggs and hatch off some biddies so they have no mother or father figures around to influence thier ways. You feed and raise the biddies on your place until they reach the age of 1 year old. You sit and take notes once a week on things you see. After the year let me know what you learned about the Game Cock. You will be amused when they are the size of your fist they will be sparring or fighting on the yard, when they get older a dominant male will appear and eventually if kept long enough any other males will be killed off by the boss rooster so to speak. He will do it without a gaff or a knife as it is natural for them to kill off other male species of game fowl even if it is thier own brothers, fathers or any relative. In closing if your correct, the only bill that should be considered in this equasion should be HB1232, as I feel HB32, HB656, HB1057 or SB592 already have proper law that governs it and that is VA Code 3.1-796.125 .

Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. The fact that there are 4 comprehensive animal cruelty bills and 3 "anti puppy mill" bills sponsored by legislators of both parties strongly suggests that one bill of each type will be adopted as law.

Today I spoke with many Delegates and Senators Offices and alot of them were not even aware of these bills, the ones that were seemed to be against them and thought they were an over kill. They semed to be interested in what I had to say, but hard to tell they may may have just been putting on a show to satisfy my mind and prep me for the kill later. God Bless them anyway, I hope they make the right choice with these bills as they will effet alot of peoples lifes and family heritages.

Felony for deciding what to do with your personal property? Let the punishment suit the crime or lack of.

My number 1 argument....... Crime vs. Time. Some crimes agains Humans are not gettting these types of penalties. I feel it is unjustifiable to put a feleny on this type of bill.

@Cross Creek: It seems to me that if the punishment for a crime against a human is too low and you feel that the punishment for an animal cruelty crime is too high, you can probably use that as leverage to lobby a legislator to raise the punishment for the human crime. So, it's not all bad. I don't see the benefit justice-wise in comparing punishments (I mean, if it fits, it fits), but it might be a good lobbying strategy.

Personally, I'd like to see more money go towards rehabilitation and prevention than punishment.

Tim McCormack, we have laws in place to punish those who are cruel to animals. They are appropriate in Crime vs. Time. I don't feel locking a man or woman up for 1 to 5 years after legislation places a class 6 felony on this bill is fair. Not only are they incarcerated, they loose many of thier rights as well (Right to bare arms, right to vote). Once they get out of prison as we all know who is going to hire a convicted felon? In the end what have we solved? We are taking something that Presidents of our Nation did as past times for entertainment and making felons out of them, does this mean our past presidents should be considered criminals as well? There has been chickens fought in the white house many years ago, I guess we need to go back in all history books in our shools and list the bad that our presidents did besides listing all the good they did for our country. I really think our legislators need to consider the impact such a law will cause the people who's cultures are different than those opposed to game fowl or anything dealing with gamefowl. I know I can account for four generations of my family that were all involved in game fowl. I know alot more people can go deeper than that, and if I were to dig deeper I am sure I can trace it a long way back in history. Heritage is an important factor that certain groups don't ever want to consider, but cock fighting has been in our country for 100's of years and involved some very respectable people. Why change the laws to make them felons now. Why cost the tax payers over $25,000 to incarcerate an individual per year as described above just because we have different beliefs. As Americans we should respect the fact that we as Americans have different beliefs as we are a country made up of many races and many different cultures. Respect and love thy fellow American and let them be as long as they are not commiting crimes against persons, drug related or crimes against anothers property. Keep America Free!!!

We are taking something that Presidents of our Nation did as past times for entertainment and making felons out of them, does this mean our past presidents should be considered criminals as well? There has been chickens fought in the white house many years ago.

That doesn't make it right. Slavery was pretty popular too, back in the day. Now the country has a different opinion.

I guess we need to go back in all history books in our shools and list the bad that our presidents did besides listing all the good they did for our country.

I believe we currently do this. Nixon has a pretty bad rap in the history books, I hear tell.

Whats next people???!!! BIG BROTHER is right around the corner!!!! today our presonal property.....tomorrow????

Tim: The difference between slaves and gamefowl is that slaves didn't want to be slaves; gamefowl LOVE to fight other males of their species!

This bill is up for review by committee Monday, Jan. 28th. I hope everyone has voiced their opinions dealing with this bill with their Legislators.

I have been reading some of the posts that people have made on here and I just don't quite get it....why can't our government just focus on the more violent crimes such as the murders, arsonist (sp?) drugs, rapist, robbers and child abusers? I don't see nothing wrong with the "good 'ol country boys fighting some cocks. I have seen a cockfight or two and some people have posted on other bills that the cocks fight until one dies...well I have watched a few fights and it is a 50/50 situation where the cocks end up killing the other. Some of the cocks just give up and fight no more. I do not approve of the dog fighting what so ever. But you have to think....a chicken is just a chicken. I mean come on...chickens lay eggs everyday and then when at the right time..those chickens have eggs. It seems to me that everyone thinks that it is alright for the "guy next door" to come babysit your children and rape them, it is ok for that guy that you see walking down the street to be harmless and when you leave your belongings are missing or the house is no longer down cause someone set fire to it. Or better yet have teenagers go to school with guns and shoot his classmates and be high on drugs. I think that our tax dollars are being a little stretched with the whole cockfighting bill(s) I think that our government needs to be focusing a little more on the more importants crimes than a bunch of those "good 'ol country boys" having a good time hurting nobody and really do nothing wrong! WHY DON'T THE GOVERNMENT JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE?"

This bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee. Interestingly enough, no one spoke against the bill during the hearing.

Some of you here need to take a look at HB 999. It's bill for an animal seizure bonds and unfortunately, I can't get the RichmondSunlight link to the full text to work. You can view the full text of the bill on the VA legislature site.

What HB 999 does is permit "humane investigators" and law enforcement authorities to sashay onto your property and seize your animals without a warrant if they suspect neglect or cruelty. Once the owner's animals are seized, they must pay a bond for up to 90 days of care or surrender their animals over to the seizing authority to do as they wish without ever having had their day in court! Of course, the animal owner must still go to court. If the owner pays the bond, then it appears it might be possible to have their animals returned if judged innocent of the charge(s), but NO provision is made to return the bond money. Also, the hardship clause for people who cannot afford to pay bond has been amended out.

This bill passed committee and sailed through the House. It's on its way to/through the Senate. How is it that our legislators are not batting an eye at stripping people of their basic right to due process in animal cases? Please contact your Senators and request they OPPOSE this BAD bill.

Claire Ward writes:

This bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee. Interestingly enough, no one spoke against the bill during the hearing.

The ones I spoke to Claire said the reason was they did not want to go against the dog issue of the bill due to the Michael Vick incident. To me these bills really did not strengthen up the dog fighting bills, they were just used so they could get cockfighting and gamefowl owning passed in this bill. I disagree with sly maneuvers by the Legislators to piggy back an issue and tie it to one that people want to tighten up on. If they had not tied up cockfighting and gamefowl ownership in with HB656 and SB592 they knew they would not get passed. I feel it is unfair and unjustified.

I oppose these bills for that simple fact and the fact that they are created and backed by the Humane Society of the United States. The group who is pushing for tougher laws, not the citizens if Virginia. I feel our Legislative system is being turned into a circus and the rights and welfare of the people of Virginia are not even considered anymore on this issue or any other issue. I feel our system is failing us as it was designed. Out of state influence should never be allowed in the legislative process.

01/28/08 Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with amendments (15-Y 0-N)
01/28/08 Senate: Rereferred to Courts of Justice
01/29/08 Senate: Assigned Courts sub: Criminal

It appears the vote count was not correct it should be 15-1

No Vote
Mary Margaret Whipple Mary Margaret Whipple (D-31)
Served: 1996–(D-31)

maybe the guys in richmond can focus on real issues say maybe rascism gangs and drugs in our high schools our highschooler says you can get anything you want in school pot coke crack even lsd what is the dare officers doing why dont the k9 officers go in schools any more so while our police become chicken cops our schools can suffer just remember it was not a gamecock that shot up tech all i can do is hope it does not happen in my sons school while the police are out catching chickens what value human life

It appears the vote count was not correct it should be 15-1

No Vote
Mary Margaret Whipple Mary Margaret Whipple (D-31)

The General Assembly reports the same vote tally.

I see that the bill passed 12-3 in Courts of Justice today, with minor amendments, but nothing of any substance to the folks following it. It sure looks like this thing is gonna pass. Amazing that a thousand angry cockfighters couldn't muster one person to go to the General Assembly and speak against the bill.

Yes, it is a shame that none of us could take time off from our full time jobs to waste a trip up there to fight a battle that had already been bought off. A lot of the so called "cockfighters" are just gamefowl enthusiast & breeders that love these birds like a lot of people love their lap dogs and other pets. I guess they'll be made into criminals before its over. Its a waste of time to vote, politicians are all crap when it comes down to it. This is just like every law in this country; drugs, gangs, killing, and now something as simple as owning a specific breed of chicken or dog. It don't matter how many laws you make to stop it, its not going keep people from killing, raping, selling drugs, etc... and it won't stop cockfighting either.

Well, the cockfighting bills have reared its chicken head at the middle ofthe 2008 session of the General Assembly. The Humane Society has taken out ads in local papers and on the Internet complaining about animal cruelty and their stand along with certain Legislators against the Animal Cruelty bills this session. Highly unusual, to say the least. Well, I suppose the liberals stick together? This is both serious and funny at the same time. I mean weare talking about chickens after all. Note that the Humane Society never have any complaints whatsoever about the gambling element of the offense. All they care about is making chicken fighting a felony. Why Vote No on the Animal Cruelty/ Cockfighting Bill? Two things about the current law to keep in mind: 1) cockfighting with gambling is already a crime punished as a class 3 misdemeanor. This is what these bills were addressed to. 2) Cruelty to animals is already a class 1 misdemeanor (including cruelty to chickens) (3.1-796.122). Some quick criminal justice background for you: There are four classes ofmisdemeanors, 1-4. Class 4 misdemeanors have a maximum penalty of $250,class 3 have a maximum penalty of $500, class 2 have a maximum penalty of 6months in jail and $1,000 fine, and class 1 have a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and $2,500 fine.The lowest level felony is a class 6 felony. Sen. Norment and Delegate Griffith have put in SB 592 and HB 656. They are calling for changing the penalty for cockfighting with gambling from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. Quite a jump! Mind you, I am no fan of criminal cockfighting, but spending $25,000 a year to put a chicken fighter in jail doesn’t make sense to me. Another side note: it costs roughly $25,000 per year to keep someone in prison, and about 70% of our prison beds are occupied by violent criminals (i.e., they were violent toward another human, not a chicken). I would have supported changing the penalty from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 2 misdemeanor so jail time would be available, but I try hard to make criminal justice decisions based on the WHOLE criminal justice system. Maybe you are asking, what do you mean by that? Well, let me tell you about some things that are class 1 misdemeanors, so you get an idea of what I am talking about? Assault or Battery by Mob Recruitment into a known criminal street gang (e.g., MS-13),Kidnapping by a parent, Hazing of youth gang members, Reckless handling of a firearm so as to endanger life, limb or property, Assault and Battery, Assault and Battery against a household member (i.e., domestic violence)Threat to kill or harm school personnel while on school property, Stalking, wherein the victim is put in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury, Sexual Battery, Infected sexual battery, Now, let me ask all of you, do you think that fighting chickens (remember now, they’re NOT HUMANS) is worse than domestic violence? Do you think it’s worse than infected sexual battery? Parental kidnapping? Assault and battery by mob? I do not. Cockfighting does not warrant being treated as a worse offense than class 1 misdemeanor like these. Remember, as these bills were introduced, Sen.Norment and Delegate Griffith wanted to make cockfighting a felony? Much worse than a misdemeanor. Do you know anyone that’s been the victim of sexual battery? I do. It can have a profound and devastating effect on the victim and their family. Domestic violence can wreak similar devastation. And the list goes on? How about fighting chickens? IMHO, it’s just not on the same level as other class 1 misdemeanors. Again, I don’t support fighting dogs, chickens, oranimals of any kind for sport, for gambling, or for any other reason. I recognize that we need to address cruelty to animals as a criminal offense (as we already do). I even support making cockfighting a jail able offense, i.e., a class 2 misdemeanor. But we have to keep it inperspective. PEOPLE are more important than animals. Period. And we need to save and spend our precious tax dollars wisely. I do not think it makes sense to spend $25,000 a year to put a chicken fighter in prison, when that money could be used addressing our jailing, Parental kidnappers, criminals that sexually abuse other human beings, those that commit assault and battery, etc. That is why I am opposed to any of these bills in their current form, because it puts crimes against chickens on a par with crimes against human beings in our criminal justice system, and I do NOT support such a change. I guess you could say that I’m Pro-people. Of course, I do like a good steak or other meats I choose to eat.

So what happens to our chickens now? Do we need to start killing them now or could we keep them so long as we don't make them fight?

WHEN YOU SEE A POLICE OFFICER RUN A MAN DOWN IN A CROSSWALK AND THEN CHARGE HIM FOR IT WHILE HE IS IN THE HOSPITAL DO YOU THINK THAT THEY CARE IF YOU FIGHT YOUR CHICKENS OR NOT THEY ARE GOING TO BUST YOUR DOOR DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HOLD YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT GUN POINT MAYBE THEY WILL BRING THE EVIDENCE WITH THEM THEY MAY KILL ONE OF YOUR KIDS AS HE WALKS DOWN YOUR HALLWAY AND STARTLES A POLICE OFFICER SO DO WHAT YOU WANT BUTT I WILL NOT KEEP A SINGLE CHICKEN DO TO THAT FACT IS IT WORTH LOSING YOUR LIFE FOR OR EVEN WORSE ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS JUST REMEMBER ITS NOT INOCENT TILL PROVE GUITY ANYMORE WE HAVE PROGRESSED PAST THAT NOW ITS GUILTY UNTIL YOU PROVE YOURSELF INOCENT BY THEN THEY WILL HAVE KILLED EVERYTHING YOU OWN ANYWAY SO IF YOU HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY YOU CAN MOVE TO MEXICO PUERTO RICO OR THE PHILIPINES SO DO YOU WANT TO BE IN PRISON OVER YOUR CHICKENS OR MAYBE EVEN DEAD BECAUSE THEY DONT CARE THEY WILL KILL YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WELCOME TO AMERIKA PEOPLE

Tinula-

There is no need to dispatch your chickens. The proposed legislation seeks to make chickenfighting, not chicken keeping, illegal.

being suspected is enough how will you look when the media puts there spin on it you will lose your job have thousands of dollars to defend yorself hopefully you have got a lot of money in your 401k so you can take a loan from it then watch that attorney of yours want you to take the deal and plead out for doing nothing wrong better get ready

6. Possess or administer to an animal any device or substance intended to enhance an animal's ability to fight.

What kinda devises or subtances are they talking about here ? Shouldn't they be specified ?

That is as broad as it is long, so to speak. The bills are getting ridiculous and I can not see why they feel justified to introduce such hog wash. Makes you wonder where this world is heading.

Waldo Jaquith writes:
Amazing that a thousand angry cockfighters couldn't muster one person to go to the General Assembly and speak against the bill.

You make a good point, which is why those same people you referred too are going to show up at the General Assembly Building very soon to protest in the streets of Richmond against these ridiculous bills. When they see these same people they have already been e-mailed by and had conversations with on the phones it may get their attention. How will the General Assembly respond to us then? From what I am hearing the media will be all over this and will be notified approximately one hour prior to our arrival so they can take pictures, have live news crews on hand to watch a bunch of good hearted Virginian's non-violently protest and show their opposition to SB592 and HB656. I may even call you Waldo so you can come watch as well. What kind of political damage will this do to our Legislators who are in support of these said bills? But can these Senators and Delegates respond to the people whom have expressed their opposition to the bills and have repeatedly been ignored? These angry people want to be heard, seen and get the answers from the people pushing these bills.

Looks as if SB592 passed the Senate with a 39-0 vote. This suggests to me that legislators have listened to their constituencies and are voting in accordance with their wishes. Simply stated, more people are in favor of these bills than against them. Of course, this is only my interpretation.

Richmond Leaders.com discusses this bill on there website and offers an interesting insight to it. Check it out: http://www.richmondleaders.com/2008/01/30/playing-chicken-at-the-general-assembly/

Claire Ward writes:

Looks as if SB592 passed the Senate with a 39-0 vote. This suggests to me that legislators have listened to their constituencies and are voting in accordance with their wishes.

Claire is the Humane Society of the United States on their constituents list???
Because that is who they listened to.
General Assembly had over 2000 bills this session and nearly 200 of them were animal bills. SAD!

General Assembly had over 2000 bills this session and nearly 200 of them were animal bills.

That's not even vaguely in the neighborhood of being true. You're off by an order of magnitude. Try something closer to twenty.

I stand to be corrected, 21. But still sad. Especially when you had 4 bills at one time covering the same thing.

It looks like the vote of the people wasn`t counted ,by the poll numbers, but by some outside influence.

I just watched that there are 19000 computers with hard core childporn on them but funding was not available for following up on this issue being that i am the father of 3 children would anyone like to come squirell hunting with me so we can talk about this issue I might even treat them to some chicken selects If you would like get real people

Sen. Puckett called me yesterday about SB592/HB656 and agreed with the fact that a felony was unreasonable in regards to gamefowl and had tried to have it left at a misdemenor, but was unsuccessful. He also stated that it was unfortunate that animal rights groups had "roosters / chickens" attached to this dog bill. He also said it seems unfair that animals crimes were being placed above and on a higher level than crimes on humans. I know how he has voted so far, lets see how he votes from here on out. I think he knows how the majority of his constituents wants him to vote concerning this / these bills. What will he do ?

There's nothing he can do now. The bill is out of the senate. However, it was kind of him to call you after the fact.

Last session SB1190 made it out of the Senate also, so lets hope for a repeat performance.

In times like this when the economy is in the state that it is in it would make more since to concentrate on more important issues than make felons out of the people who pay taxes just for enjoying their cultural activities just because some people do not agree with them just read the anti hunting letter to the daily progress 02/08/08 today people who hunt with dos had better get ready your next is cockfighting any worse than coon hunting or even rabbit hunting with beagles poor little wabbit and Ilove rabbit hunting is it as bad as paying someone good money to shoot a pheasant that was raised in a pen set in a feild and will not fly until you kick him in the butt is it realy

That is the biggest question , where does all this madness end ?

I have a voicemail (recieved 2/6/08) from Sen. Philip Puckett, basically sympathizing with the gamefowl breeders. He states," It is seems unreasonable to raise cockfighting to a felony when there are more serious human crimes that are misdeamenors." He also states,"That it is unfortunate that animal rights people have had cockfighting attached to the dogfighting bills & they had tried to leave it a misdeamenor, but THEY wouldn't do it." All do respect, but why would he state his above feelings and still uphold the bill as it reads ? I feel most legislators have not put their personal feelings aside or have been influenced in some way by special interest groups instead of listening to the majority of their constituents when pushing these bills.
I would like to say THANKS to; Del.Clarke Hogan, Del.Bud Phillips, Del.Danny Bowling, you guys stepped up for the people.

Waldo Jaquith writes:

General Assembly had over 2000 bills this session and nearly 200 of them were animal bills.

That's not even vaguely in the neighborhood of being true. You're off by an order of magnitude. Try something closer to twenty.

Posted 3 days ago. #

Waldo: I could list something between 40 and 50, but the exact number isn't the issue. It's the vast number of bad animal bills and repeat rejections from prior sessions that clog the system and steal time from serious legislative business.

MAYBE SOMEONE CAN POST WHAT A PERSON CAN DO WITH THEIR CHICKENS TO KEEP FROM BEING PROSECUTED AFTER THIS COMES IN IF THEY ARE LEGAL TODAY BUT NOT TOMORROW WHAT IS A LEGAL TAX PAYING CITIZEN AND THEIR FAMILY TO DO IS THE STATE SUPPOSED TO PAY YOU FOR YOUR CHICKENS (PROPERTY)

I think some adjustment time is needed to citizens to come into compliance when and if they are passed.

I hope to see those resposible for these HSUS pushed and backed bills loose their office next election term. Regardless of what party I feel if they are influenced by anyone other than their own people they should never hold office again.

Especially Bob McDonnell, Tommy Norment and Morgan Griffith. These guys publicly admitted they were joining the leadership of the Humane Society of the United States. I am or was a Republican; I think I have altered my way of thinking on the state level below governor. I will do extent background review of any person I vote for in the future in all offices where I have a vote in.

ALL OF THIS STUFF IS REALY MAKING IT HARD FOR ME TO DECIDE WHICH WAY TO GO TUESDAY IN THE PRES PRIMARY AFTER VOTING CONSEVATIVE FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS

Obama has done made it clear he is a animal rights supporter.

Seeing how the House already made certain amendments to HB656 prior to it being transferred to the Senate, I am curious as to if and what amendments they will make to SB592? This is a process I have not seen yet since following bills in the legislation, what steps are normally taken when there are two bills which are very similar? Are there chances they will both become law, or incorporate them into one or what is the normal process if someone would please help enlighten me?

Cross Creek - HB656 is still in committee. If SB592 becomes law, they will leave HB656 where it is. SB592 was referred to the House Court of Justice where its fate will be decided tomorrow.

I guess we will get a better idea monday what direction both of these bills are going in.

Has anyone heard anything on this bill today?

Forgive me for hijacking the thread for a moment, but I'd like to talk with Mr. Gipson about raising birds and these bills and what will happen if possessing the birds becomes illegal, especially now that the bill looks like it will pass. The number I had for you is no longer working. If there's any who raises the birds that would like to talk with me (I'm a reporter for a Charlottesville daily) get me bmckenzie@dailyprogress.com. I don't think the folks who own the birds have been heard on that point.

Try this website (my blog) if you want to know more about me and my politics, etc, before you contact me.

Bryan McKenzie writes:

If there's any who raises the birds that would like to talk with me (I'm a reporter for a Charlottesville daily) get me bmckenzie@dailyprogress.com. I don't think the folks who own the birds have been heard on that point.

I would be glad to speak with you, I will be in Richmond most of this upcoming week. Today I accepted the position of President of the Virginia Chapter of the American Game Fowl Society. So maybe we can help each other out.

My-e-mail is xranger@roadrunner.com

SB592 was approved by the House Courts of Justice committee this afternoon.

This is crazy, we love our fowl, most love there fowl more than there wives or girlfrinds. I you turn 2 game roosters loose they will fight to there death. So does Tommy Norment want to kill all breads of game fowl. Thats is inhumane, we try to preserve all breads of fowl so future genterations can enjoy them. Also some people isnt lucky enough to have a chane too go to college an earn a degree. That how some famlies put food on the table. I think dog fighting is cruel and 90% of chickenfighters do thinks it inhumane. A dog is mans best friend, Ive owned pitbull and they are not what the media makes them out to be.Aleast we are not like the gov. them want to kill all gamefowl. When peta comes in to you farm they put are chickens into big tanks and gas them. NOW WHO IS THE BAD GUYS???? They kill everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep just take a look at the latest cockfighting raid in Canada. Even members of the SPCA where sickened by all the chickens that they killed. The report I read said they killed 1200 roosters and it took twelve hours. The way I understood the report the roosters they killed where not even at a "fighting pit", but on farms. What happend to saving the roosters from the terrible cockfighters. Those chickens would have lived for many years in the hands of their owners, but died in 12 hours at the hands of their rescuers. DON'T MAKE MUCH SENCE TO ME. Guess you have to be a complete animal lover to know when something is better off DEAD ????? I think they are idiots.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/02/29/bc-cocknews.html

Here's the link. I hope they are scarred for life, because of what they "had to do" to "save those 1270 roosters" Where was all the chicken santuary people when you need them? We should round up all the poor homeless people living under bridges, etc.... and humanly euthanize them, they shouldn't be made to live in such terrible conditions. The same people that are trying to "save" all the animals drive by these people everyday like they are nothing. The reason the lady in the video is so upset is because she knew what they where doing was wrong. As for the guy showing the implements for fighting, he didn't know what he was talking about either. The hitch he discribed "that stays on the rooster his whole life" is far from the truth. They are rotated daily to prevent injury to the animal, "tie cords" are designed to stretch to help reduce injury to the animal. On most farms roosters are fed atleast 6-8 ounces of quality feed everyday and have access to fresh water 24/7. Although, I currently do not have any game fowl. In the past I have had roosters die from old age (8-9 years old) Probably, a good portion of those 1270 roosters killed in this raid and similar US raids could have lived long healthy lives as well. Way to go SPCA, kill'm all and let god sort'm out. The big man upstairs might remind you of all the dogs, cats, and roosters you "saved" with a "humane death".

SB592, HB656 are as stupid as the people that support them.

jackie Hutson writes:

Cross Creek - HB656 is still in committee. If SB592 becomes law, they will leave HB656 where it is. SB592 was referred to the House Court of Justice where its fate will be decided tomorrow.
Posted 12 days ago.

chop chop time

No Rev. Aldridge - its not chop chop time. It will be time to release the gamefowl in the city of Richmond so the SPCA and HSUS can "SAVE" them!