On a vote of 49-20, the House has just approved a statewide ban on cockfighting.
Minor amendments that cleaned up language in the bill, made by the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee, mean it must return to the Senate for concurrence. The Senate previously approved the measure on a vote of 31-11, and Gov. Bill Richardson has said he will sign it.
Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana, makes the first offense a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison. A second offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison, and further offenses are fourth-degree felonies punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
“I am so happy that the Legislature has enacted the will of 81 percent of our citizens and finally voted to ban this brutal act,” Garcia said. “I want to thank my colleagues and all the members of the public who contacted their legislators, came to the hearings and gave so much support to me personally throughout this challenging process.”
Garcia has fought for the controversial ban for 18 years. This is the first time it has passed the House and Senate.
Update, 5:30 p.m.