A local official in Louisiana is pushing for his parish to explore obtaining an exemption from state law to revive cockfighting, a practice that is a federal felony across the United States. The move has ignited a fierce debate between cultural tradition and animal welfare law.
Councilman Seeks Exemption for Banned Blood Sport
Timmy LeJeune, a council member for St. Landry Parish, has initiated steps to investigate how the local authority could create a legal exemption to Louisiana's ban on cockfighting. According to reports from The Acadiana Advocate, LeJeune scheduled a meeting of the council’s administrative and finance committee earlier in January to explore options.
"All I’m asking is to get this before the full council so we can do research and get some real answers," LeJeune stated during the meeting. He argued that a parish could potentially apply to the state for a special permit. His primary motivation is economic. "If we find a way to make that happen, St. Landry could become a worldwide hub for rooster fighting, and that brings in a lot of money," he added, framing it as a search for new parish revenue.
Legal Reality Clashes with Cultural Tradition
This push faces an immediate and significant legal hurdle. Garrett Duplechain, the parish's legal counsel, provided a stark assessment, noting that cockfighting is a felony. "You can’t get a permit to commit a felony, which is what cockfighting is currently," Duplechain said, offering what he called an "unbiased analysis."
The sport, where specially bred roosters fight to the death, was outlawed nationwide, with Louisiana being the final state to enact a ban in 2008. However, it remains a deep-seated tradition in parts of the state, particularly within Creole and Cajun communities. Before the ban, large events could attract hundreds of spectators.
Animal Advocates Condemn "Ridiculous" Proposal
The proposal has been met with strong condemnation from animal welfare organisations. Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, labelled discussions about re-legalisation as "ridiculous" in a statement last week. "Cockfighting is a felony, period. Lawmakers, in overwhelming fashion, made it so 18 years ago," Pacelle said, recalling the state's previous embarrassment at being the last to ban the activity.
Despite the ban, evidence suggests the practice persists. Jeff Dorson, executive director of the Humane Society of Louisiana, told local media in 2024 that cockfighting is still prevalent across the state, sustained by cultural pride. "Cockfighting has been a part of our culture in Louisiana, especially the Cajun area for a long, long time. There is a lot of pride associated with it," Dorson explained.
The St. Landry Parish Council is set to revisit the contentious issue at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, The Acadiana Advocate reports, ensuring the debate between cultural heritage, economic ambition, and animal welfare law is far from over.
