NM legislator wants to ban animal killing contests
Posted at: 01/31/2013 7:51 AM
By: The Associated Press
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A southern New Mexico legislator has introduced a bill that would ban animal killing contests.
Organ Democrat Rep. Nate Cote says a recent coyote-killing contest in central New Mexico caused a public outcry and that such events must stop. He contends the contests are senseless.
His bill would criminalize organizing, causing, sponsoring, arranging or holding an animal killing contest.
First-time offenders could face a civil fine of up to $1,000. Subsequent convictions could result in a year in prison and a stiffer fine. The bill has the support of animal protection advocates.
But the owner of Gunhawk Firearms in Los Lunas, Mark Chavez, tells the Las Cruces Sun-News that the bill is a disguised attack on hunting and gun rights.
Chavez held a coyote-killing contest in November that attracted national attention.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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