8A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2003
Cockfighting CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
Aaron Showalter/Kansan
skirted the law by merely raising roosters in the state and taking them elsewhere—to Oklahoma, for example, where cockfighting is still legal in some counties.
A federal bill passed in May 2002 prohibits breeders from carrying roosters across state or international lines for the purposes of fighting, however, making it virtually impossible for breeders in Kansas to sell their prized birds.
The law gave breeders one year to make arrangements for their fighting chickens, because on May 13, transporting, buying or selling fighting roosters will become punishable by up to $15,000 and a year in jail.
Wayne Pacelle, senior vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based Humane Society of the United States, hopes this federal law will eliminate cockfighting altogether — but he's not convinced that will happen. Pacelle instigated the interstate legislation in 1999.
Wayne Woody, Baldwin City resident, with one of two roosters that still occupy his chicken coop. Woody, who raised game roosters for 15 years, got rid of his 200 chickens last fall after a law passed that banned the interstate transport of roosters for the purpose of fighting.
"Ilegal cockfighting is far more common than most people realize," Pacelle said. "There's a group of people who are devoted enthusiasts of this blood-sport, and you can find them by going into many counties in Kansas."
Pacelle wants to see the sport gone he said it represented the very definition of animal cruelty.
"These individuals place healthy birds in a pit to hack each other to death for mere human amusement," Pacelle said. "This is an activity that cannot be justified."
Woody said most breeders didn't see cockfighting as inhumane. His roosters receive better treatment than those farmed for food. He points out that each rooster has its own separate pen and is hand fed and watered each
"Our chickens are the healthiest in the world. I took better care of my roosters than my wife."
Wayne Woody Baldwin City resident
day. Whereas most farm chickens are slaughtered at eight weeks, successful fighting roosters can live for years.
"Our chickens are the healthiest in the world," Woody said. "I took better care of my roosters than my wife."
Woody's father took him to his first cockfight at age 12 in a time when "they fought chickens everywhere in the state of Kansas," and he fell in love right away. In 1959, he started breeding his own roosters after receiving a family of chickens as a gift.
Although he never profited from his hobby, other breeders and businesses that support the industry may feel ripples of financial hardship from the new legislation.
Howard Knisley, who raises milo, wheat and roosters on his farm outside of Derby, says his income will take a hit this year. Knisley usually ships his roosters to the Philippines and Guam, two major markets for U.S. fighting roosters.
The sale of chickens generates millions of dollars in Kansas and billions nationwide for breeders, Knisley said.
Woody and Knisley have both cut back the amount of grain they purchase to feed the roosters significantly. Woody said a feed provider in Bonner Springs no longer had the business those who have quit the game fowl practice. While Knisley usually buys $10,000 worth of grain a year, this year he spent only $1,500.
"I've been very hurt over this whole situation." Knisley said.
"It'll hurt everybody 'cause the farmer can't sell his grain, and we can't sell our chickens."
Pacelle disagreed, calling cockfighting an isolated industry with very little spill over into communities, and says he has no pity for "criminals" who may lose money from their now-worthless game fowl.
"Drug dealers lose economic activity when they're not allowed to sell crack. Dog owners lose money when they're not allowed to sell fighting pit
bulls," Pacelle said. "So be it."
Nonetheless, breeders like Woody see it as an unconstitutional infringement on the rights of rural citizens.
"It just seems like it's just another case of urban people with money messing with the business of us rural folks," he said. "I've always loved rooster fighting, and I still do."
"I love the roosters. They're magnificent, they really are."
on Saturday. Soon thereafter the suspects began making phone calls to students in professor Dan Rockhill's class using the house cell phone. One architecture student became suspicious after receiving a call from the phone at such a late hour and alerted Brian Garvey, another student, to the potential trouble.
Burglarized CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
- Edited by Michelle Burhenn
Garvey arrived at the house later but couldn't tell what might be missing because of the house's typically unkempt condition, said Lindsey Plant, a fifth-year senior working at the house.
Piant said he called the studio phone and the kid answered.
"Garvey asks him where he is and the kid tells him. So he goes there and finds the kid walking around with one of our coats on and the cell phone charger hanging out of his pocket."
About that time Spainhour pulled up and to found Garvey waving him over to the side of the road.
"I thought he had car trouble or something." Spainh said.
Spainhour got out of the car and Garvey pointed to the guy standing across the street.
As Spainhour and Garvey approached the suspect it became obvious he was under the influence of something, Spainhour said.
After talking with the suspect for a few minutes, Spainhour said neighbors started coming outside with information. One returned items found in their back yard that belonged at the Studio 804 house. Another told the KU students the man they were interrogating had been outside on the cell phone since before 6 that morning.
"That convinced Brian this was definitely the guy," Spainhoursaid.
As the suspect began walking away Garvey told Spainhour to call the authorities while he followed.
"The operator gets on the phone and I start explaining to her that we're walking and following this guy." Spainhour said. "The whole situation was really just bizarre and goofy."
It ended shortly thereafter when Lawrence police officers caught up with the suspect and his pursurers on 15th street. After patting the man down and returning the students to the house, police handed over property that ranged from a Carhartt coat and a ratchet set, to. of course, a cell phone.
"As far as I'm concerned we got our stuff back, and the kid obviously has other problems, so there's really no reason to press charges," Spainhour said.
"It's definitely the most bizarre thing to happen on site so far."
— Edited by Erin Chapman
Contributed Photo
A house being built under project Studio 804 was burglarized early Saturday morning. Upon breaking in, the suspect made several calls using the house cell phone, alerting students in the class and prompting them to contact the authorities.
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