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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Godbey

 

DATE TYPED:

2/10/03

 

HB

559

 

SHORT TITLE:

Prohibit Cockfighting

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Wilson

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

Indeterminate

 

 

 

 Relates to Senate Bill 64

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

 

Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)

Game & Fish Department (GFD)

Livestock Board (LB)

Attorney General’s Office (AGO)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Bill 559 deletes the cockfighting exemption from the cruelty to animals statute and  makes causing, sponsoring, arranging, holding or participating in cockfighting a fourth degree felony.

 

     Significant Issues

 

·       Animal rights groups state that cockfighting perpetuates violence in our communities.  There is an undeniable link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans.

·       Intentional cruelty to animals and dog fighting are currently felonies in New Mexico. HB559 would extend protection to cocks.

·       Cocks are creatures who do not have the capacity to consent to engage in the self-destructive behavior of fighting.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

There are significant law enforcement and court costs associated with cockfighting since these events tend to lead to or involve illegal activities such as gambling and abuse of alcohol.

 

RELATIONSHIP

 

HB 559 has the same intent as SB 64, but the wording in the two bills is different.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

Cockfighting is banned in every state except New Mexico and Louisiana. Cockfighting is banned in 13 New Mexico counties including Bernalillo and in 28 municipalities including Albuquerque.

 

Many New Mexicans believe that allowing animals to fight is cruel.  Animal Protection of New Mexico has a poll that shows that 81% of New Mexicans support a ban on cockfighting.

 

DW/njw