For Immediate Release:
April 8, 2004
Legislators Say Cock-Fighting Law Needs To Be Changed
Senator Frank Shurden and Representative Rebecca
Hamilton called a press conference on Thursday after an
Oklahoma City Mexican-American family was charged for violating
the state's anti-cockfighting law. The lawmakers denounced
the law and the treatment of the family as unfair.
Three members of the Zarate family each had felony charges
brought against them on March 29, in the Oklahoma County
District Court, for possession and intent to engage in cockfighting.
They were the first people charged with violating the state
law.
"The law is not very well written. It should punish
people for fighting these birds, instead it punishes citizens
for simple possession," Shurden, D-Henryetta, said.
"The Zarate family is just one example. They had nearly
one-hundred birds confiscated and they do not fight their
birds. They simply raise them."
Shurden says in January, Oklahoma City police were called
to the neighborhood on a report of a loose Pitt Bull, which
turned out to be the Zarate's Jack Russell Terrier. When
they reached the house and saw the chickens, they immediately
took action. Nearly 80 birds were confiscated and taken
to the Oklahoma City animal shelter, where they have remained
for the past two months.
"Since those birds have been in the shelter, not one
animal rights group or anyone from the Coalition Against
Cockfighting have enquired about the health and welfare
of the birds," Shurden included. "This just goes
to show that they are more concerned with punishing people,
then the actual well-being of these animals."
Shurden said it is costing $8 per day for each individual
bird to stay in the shelter. A $35 impoundment fee was also
charged for each animal. If the Zarate family is found innocent
by the court, Oklahoma County taxpayers could foot the final
bill.
Under the law, violators can be charged up to $10,000 and
10 years in prison for each bird they own.
"This law is a tragedy and I don't think the people
of Oklahoma knew what they were voting for," said Rep.
Rebecca Hamilton. "The way the law is written, violators
can receive a ten-year sentence for each bird. We send someone
to prison for far less than ten years for raping a child.
I don't think this is what Oklahoma voters intended."
The family's attorney, Joe White says an arrangement was
made to surrender the family by April 16, which simply means
no arrests were to take place before that date. Yesterday,
Mary Zarate was arrested by the Oklahoma City police in
violation of that agreement and taken into custody. White
blames the arrest on a miscommunication between the police
department and the Sheriff's department.
"Mrs. Zarate speaks very little English, as does the
rest of the family, if they can speak any at all. My heart
goes out to this family and their mistreatment," Shurden
commented. "We are urging the Governor and our fellow
legislators to help change this ridiculous law before another
family has to go through the embarrassment that the Zarate's
have suffered."
Shurden also said he hopes the Oklahoma County District
Attorney will drop the charges against the family.
The NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens
and the Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also attended
the conference to show their support of the Zarate family.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
