After Initial Hurdle, Cockfighting Bill Sidelined Several Weeks

A proposal to strengthen cockfighting laws in Tennessee passed the state Senate this past year, but failed in the House. Credit iStockphoto

An effort to make cockfighting a felony has been put off until next month. The proposal’s sponsor says he’s waiting until he can get law enforcement authorities to testify in person.

Rep. Jon Lundberg of Bristol says lawmakers on the fence need to hear from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation about drugs, gambling and gangs associated with cockfighting rings.

“I think they need to hear also that we are bringing in people from out of state because our laws are so weak. We do not need to be the Mecca for cockfighting.”

Lundberg’s bill would move cockfighting from a misdemeanor to a felony on a second offense, punishable by up to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine.

Last week the tougher cockfighting punishments passed on a narrow vote out of the subcommittee that killed a similar proposal last year.

While lawmakers haven’t come out directly in support of cockfighting, opponents of the new penalties say the legislature has better things to do.