Louisiana Council Member Wants to Bring Back Cockfighting to St. Landry Parish

ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KMDL-FM) - Cockfighting in Louisiana has a long historical and contentious cultural history. Even though in 2008 Louisiana passed a state-wide ban on cockfighting, some St. Landry Parish officials are currently looking to get an exemption to the law and bring cockfighting back to South Louisiana.

Where Is Cockfighting Illegal?

As far as in the United States, currently there is no state, city, or Parish in Louisiana or in the entire country where cockfighting is legal. As the organization Animal Wellness Action tells theadvocate.com "There is no inch of U.S. soil where this is legal".

Effort To Bring Cockfighting Back To St. Landry Parish

Local leaders in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, are currently investigating whether it’s possible to revisit the long-outlawed practice of cockfighting.

At a recent St. Landry Parish council committee meeting, supporters of cockfighting urged officials to consider asking the state of Louisiana for a legal opinion or exemption that could potentially allow cockfighting to return to the Parish.

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Councilman Timmy LeJeune says the idea is to bring the topic of cockfighting before the full council for discussion and research. LeJeune suggests that an exemption from the ban in Louisiana could open the door for events that could bring in revenue and celebrate a part of local Louisiana tradition.

LeJeune tells theadvocate.com -

'If we find a way to make that happen, St. Landry could become a worldwide hub for rooster fighting,' he said, 'and that brings in a lot of money. It multiplies. This is all about trying to find revenue for the parish.'

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Cockfighting has been illegal in Louisiana since 2008, when the we became the last in the U.S. to outlaw the activity. According to yahoonews.com, cockfighting is also classified as a felony under state and federal law, meaning that legal experts have pointed out a Parish can’t simply issue permits for something that is a criminal offense.

Critics and animal welfare advocates argue that cockfighting is cruel and dangerous, and that efforts to reverse the ban ignore legal realities and ethical concerns.

READ MORE: What Purple Paint on Trees Really Means in Louisiana

Historical Louisiana Tradition

While many argue cockfighting is a cruel practice, it has strong and historical roots in South Louisiana culture.

From theadvocate.com -

"Enthusiasts argue cockfighting is a long-standing rural tradition in parts of Louisiana, passed down through generations, particularly in Cajun and Creole communities. They see the ban as government overreach."

The St. Landry Parish council is expected to revisit the issue Wednesday, January 21.

Read more at theadvocate.com.