LA - SB 652 to BAN Cockfighting in Louisiana

We, the undersigned, wish to voice our support for LA - SB 652 to BAN Cockfighting in Louisiana. We feel this is of national concern due to the potential impact of the spread of Avian Flu and other infectious diseases.

Cockfighting is a known barbaric and cruel practice. It promotes violence within a society and is know to desensitize children of humane caring. It is a known fact that Cockfighting promotes the use and sale of illegal drugs, in particular methamphetamine, which is a very destructive drug. It is a known fact that methamphetamine is not only used and sold at Cockfighting events but is also injected into the animals to promote aggressive behavior.

The people who flock to these events come from states where it has been ruled illegal, often transporting their birds across state lines, whether legal or not. This practice puts the poultry industry at grave risk, and has the potential of placing the State of Louisiana and its residents at a considerable health risk. It is internationally known that a wide variety of infectious diseases infect chickens, including Avian Flu, that have the potential to infect other animals and humans. We are keenly aware of the potential PANDEMIC that is anticipated due to the Avian Flu. To allow the cruel and barbaric practice of Cockfighting to continue not only puts the State of Louisiana at risk, but it puts the United States of America at risk.

One case of Avian Flu in Louisiana has the potential to cease all tourism within the State of Louisiana at a time when continued tourism and outside volunteers are still desperately needed. One case of Avian Flu has the potential to sweep through Louisiana communities where people already have compromised immune systems due to the stresses brought on by hurricane Katrina. One case of Avian Flu will effectively shut down Louisianas fowl and poultry industry. One case of Avian Flu puts many exotic and expensive birds at risk that are currently cared for by residents in the State of Louisiana, not to mention the entire poultry industry of Louisiana. One case of Avian Flu in the State of Louisiana can be the one case that has the potential of starting this anticipated PANDEMIC.

We the below signed petitioners encourage you to endorse LA - SB 652 to BAN Cockfighting in Louisiana and stop this senseless barbaric practice.

We the below petitioners encourage you to endorse LA - SB 652 to BAN Cockfighting in Louisiana to aid in keeping Louisiana safe from the Avian Flu and to help keep the residents of this state safe and free from potential infectious diseases.

We the below signed petitioners encourage you to endorse LA - SB 652 to BAN Cockfighting in Louisiana to assist in keeping our children safe from desensitizing acts and instead allow Louisiana residents an opportunity to show the children kindness and compassion and humane care for animals.

We the below signed petitioners ask that you endorse LA - SB 652 to BAN Cockfighting in Louisiana so that the State of Louisiana can continue to recover from hurricane Katrina and grow with renewed tourism rather than struggle with a threatened tourism industry.

We the below signed petitioners ask that you endorse LA - SB 652 to BAN Cockfighting in Louisiana so that the State of Louisiana puts forth its best efforts to keep our fowl and poultry industry safe and uncompromised.

We the below signed petitioners ask that you endorse LA - SB 652 to BAN Cockfighting in Louisiana so that the State of Louisiana makes every effort to keep the Avian Flu out of the United States of America and does its part in keeping the citizens of the United States and all of North America safe.