Dear Source,
There is a new Animal Cruelty Bill before the local Legislature and Governors Office. There is a change which protects homeowners from altruistically motivated trespass. A factor some have raised in questioning the bill is the lack of specific mention of the practice of cockfighting. There is a flip side chickens have not been defined as in any way exempt from the same consideration as other animals. The attachment of metal spurs or other cutting artificial spurs can be seen as unnecessary cruelty. A person who attaches them may be seen as engaged in first degree animal abuse by the use of regulation. Our senators are not willing to attack cockfighting specifically. I doubt that any senators are willing to introduce legislation which exempts the cruelty of attaching metal spurs to them either.
Richard Bond
Boston, Mass.
St. Croix