The ultimate fighting challenge, where only the fittest or in this case the fiercest survive. One may think I am talking about a boxing match between Redic Beau and Mike Tyson, but I'm not. The kind of challenge I am talking about is nor between people but animals, gamecocks to be exact. Cockfighting is known throughout this state as either a sport or animal cruelty.
             Cockfighting promoters often claim that they are only allowing the birds to fight, which is what they would do naturally. This is ridiculous. While it is true that in their regular settings, they will fight for food, territory, or mates, such fights generally take plave only to establish dominance within a group and seldom result in serious injury or death. This is quite different form what takes place in staged fights: pairs of birds,, bred for maximum aggressiveness, are usually fitted with artificial spurs called gaffs or slashers, sharp implements designed to puncture and mutilate.
             Aside from the cruelty, the so-called sport has several disturbing aspects. "According to the Humane Society," gambling is "normal" at cockfighting derbies. Thousands of dollars change hads as onlookers place bets on their favorite birds. The owner of the bird that wins the entire derby wins a large amount of money, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. Because of the large amount or money involved, firearms and other weapons are quite common at he fights. Numerous homicides and other violent crimes have been connected to cockfighting events in past years.
             While it is true that cockfighting has been around for centuries, it is not necessarily true that "old" means "good". Nor is it true that evidence of an act in a given culture makes that act acceptable. At one time the United States accepted and allowed slavery, had no child labor laws, and denied the vote to women. Cockfighting is illegal in all but two states, Oklahoma a...