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.