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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 523
BY SENATOR MORRELL
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 14:102.23(B)(1) and (C) and to enact R.S. 14:102.23(D), (E),2
and (F), relative to the crime of cockfighting; to provide for definitions; to provide3
that possession of certain paraphernalia may be admissible as evidence of a4
violation; to provide penalties upon conviction of cockfighting; to provide for5
exceptions; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 14:102.23(B)(1) and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.8
14:102.23(D), (E), and (F) are hereby enacted to read as follows: 9
ยง102.23. Cockfighting10
* * *11
B. As used in this Section, the following words and phrases have the12
following meanings ascribed to them:13
(1) "Chicken" means any bird which is of the species Gallus gallus, game14
fowl or rooster whether domestic or feral normally used in a cockfight.15
* * *16
C. Possessing, manufacturing, buying, selling, or trading of17
paraphernalia such as spurs, gaffs, knives, leather training spur covers, and18
other items or substances normally used in cockfighting with the intent that19
they shall be used in a cockfight together with evidence that the paraphernalia20
is being used or intended for use in the unlawful training of a chicken to fight21
with another chicken, shall be admissible as evidence of a violation of this22
Section. Whoever violates the provisions of this Subsection, upon conviction23
shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more24
than six months, or both. However, the provisions of this Section shall not be25
construed to prohibit the possessing, buying, selling, or trading of any spurs,26
gaffs, knives, leather training spur covers, or any other items normally used in27
ACT No. 395 SB NO. 523 ENROLLED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
cockfighting which are at least five years old and have historical value.1
D.(1) Whoever violates the provisions of this Section, on conviction of a first2
offense, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not3
more than six months, or both.4
(2) On a conviction of a second offense, the offender shall be fined not less5
than seven hundred fifty dollars, nor more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned,6
with or without hard labor, for not less than six months nor more than one year, or7
both. In addition to any other penalty imposed, on a conviction of a second first8
offense, the offender shall be ordered to perform fifteen eight-hour days of court-9
approved community service. The community service requirement shall not be10
suspended.11
(3)(2) On a conviction of a third second offense, the offender shall be fined12
not less than one thousand dollars, nor more than two thousand dollars, and shall be13
imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than three14
years. At least six months of the sentence imposed shall be served without benefit15
of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.16
E. For the purposes of this Section, when more than one chicken is17
subject to an act that would constitute cockfighting, each chicken involved shall18
constitute a separate offense.19
F. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to prohibit the20
raising of any chicken, rooster, or gamefowl for the purposes of personal21
enjoyment, exhibition, or agricultural pursuits as long as the purpose of such22
pursuits are legal.23
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: