Why did the chicken cross the road? Perhaps it was to get away from those rabid Louisiana fans of cockfighting who just can’t seem to leave this bloodsport in the rearvew mirror.
Much to our bewilderment, the St. Landry Parish Council this month drew a packed house when it was presented with a proposal to for the parish to seek an exemption to the state’s cockfighting ban. Supporters say renewing cockfights would bring money to rural Acadiana and that the ban is unconstitutional. They even invoked Cajun and Creole heritage as a reason that cockfighting should return, arguing that the practice is as sacred as Mama, crawfish pie and gumbo in the culture.
Thankfully, the members of the parish council had the good sense to reject this pile of chicken droppings. They nixed the proposed resolution to ask a local representative to introduce a bill to change the Louisiana state statute which bans cockfighting. But it was close, and newly elected council chairman Wayne Ardoin had to cast the deciding vote as the measure failed 6-7. The council then voted unanimously on a second resolution to ask Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill for an opinion on the constitutionality of the cockfighting ban. Murrill later released a statement that cockfighting remains illegal in the state of Louisiana, but the Attorney General’s office has a standing practice of not issuing opinions on the constitutionality of state laws…