A district judge has upheld the statewide ban on cockfighting approved by the governor and Legislature earlier this year.
Judge William McBee of Lovington ruled on Wednesday that the ban is constitutional. Cockfighters had sued, arguing that the ban violated 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and that legislators violated procedures mandated by the state constitution when approving the ban earlier this year.
“This is a significant victory for those who oppose animal cruelty,” Attorney General Gary King said in a news release. “I thank the court for its thoughtful and quick attention to the case. It is important that the law enforcement community is secure in knowing that the statute is constitutional, and it is important that those who abuse animals in a way that is prohibited by the statute face possible criminal prosecution.”
According to the Associated Press, the cockfighting group that sued has yet to decide whether to appeal.