For Immediate Release:
April 13, 2004
Senator Frank Shurden
Senator Calls Animal Rights Groups “Phonies”
Senator Frank
Shurden, a Democrat from Henryetta, today called organizations
like the Coalition to Ban Cockfighting, The People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society of the
U.S. a “bunch of phonies.”
“They really don’t give a damn about animals
or chickens,” Senator Shurden stated. “They
are only interested in punishing people.”
Shurden said the City of Oklahoma City confiscated about
90 chickens 75 days ago on January 29, 2004 from a poor
Mexican-American family.
“Not one animal rights group has made any inquiry
as to the health and welfare of the chickens. The animal
rights groups are only interesting in seeing this poor family
prosecuted for a $10,000 fine and 10 years in the State
Penitentiary,” Shurden continued.
Shurden argued that the people of Oklahoma needed to know
the truth behind the animal rights group movements.
“If the Oklahoma Legislature does not change the law
on the possession and ownership of game foul, hundreds of
law abiding Oklahomans will face felony charges if they
do not slaughter their chickens,” he explained. “The
animal rights groups do not care if three million game fowl
are slaughtered, which is the real tragedy of this law.
Kill them all or we will put you in prison is their cry.”
Shurden said the game fowl people love their birds. He says
SB 835 will help reverse the unfairness of the anti-cockfighting
law. The bill will be heard in the State Senate in the near
future. He urged Oklahomans to call their legislators to
help save the lives of these three million chickens and
keep good people out of the penitentiary. Constituents can
call the Senate at 405-521-0126 or the House of Representatives
at 405-521-2711 to urge the passage of SB 835.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
