Posted on 10/14/2010 8:46:16 AM PDT by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
A bill announced yesterday by Representative Melinda Romero Donnelly to establish Puerto Rico's first animal registry including pit bulls and paso fino walking horses but not fighting cocks got off on the wrong foot.
The legislator said she does not consider cockfighting a sport or a cultural tradition, but rather "abuse" and maintained she will not allow "legalizing an illegal practice such as this one".
However, Recreation & Sports Department Secretary Henry Neumann said the bill "is political suicide" and that "it will never be approved".
Neumann indicated that cockfights are regulated by the Cockfighting Commission and that they involve an industry that officially generates around $30 million a year in gambling revenue.
The official added that it is estimated that what is reported is only a small portion.
Romero's bill contemplates creating an Animal Welfare, Wildlife, and Flora Code which would regulate the ownership of pets and exotic, domestic, service, and farm animals.
The legislator explained that the code compiles animal-protection laws and requires that animals be registered. The Guard Corps [of the Department of Natural & Environmental Resources] would be in charge of enforcing the code.
Romero said the proposed code would initially be funded with $1.7 million but indicated the registry would generate its own revenue. She said registering would cost $20.00 for a domestic-use animal and $25.00 for an exotic one.
She indicated that the bill would legalize ownership of pit bulls which, prospectively, would be categorized as potentially dangerous and whose registration would cost $300.
She said that farm animals and service animals such as guide dogs and police dogs will be free of cost. She added that paso fino and equestrian-use horses will be registered under the "animal athletes" special category.
"How about fighting cocks?" Primera Hora asked.
"They're not included," [Romero] said.
The senator (sic) maintained that the bill repeals the law that permits cockfighting.
"Cockfights would be in violation of the law because inciting two animals to fight would be prohibited," Romero said when announcing the bill during a press conference at the Capitol.
She stressed that she considers [cockfighting] "abuse", a violent act, and not a sport. "Nobody can tell me that is their natural state when you put spurs on them to fight. It's not a sport to me; it's a crime. I'm not going to legalize such a practice," she maintained.
Which is not much bigger than Fritz Holling’s brain.
I’m just happy my tuna is still gay dolphin safe.
Plus, it’s not like they’d have a better fate on a chicken farm.
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