UPDATE: House rejects bill to ban coyote killing contests
Posted at: 02/26/2013 12:38 PM
| Updated at: 02/26/2013 2:49 PM
By: SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico House has rejected legislation that would ban coyote killing contests like the one that drew close to 200 participants last weekend in southeastern New Mexico.
Lawmakers debated the bill for more than two hours before voting 38-30 against passing the bill.
The bill was introduced by Democrat Rep. Nate Cote of Organ.
It would have made it illegal to organize, sponsor, arrange or participate in a coyote killing contest. He says the contests have resulted in a public outcry and are senseless. The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association has been a vocal opponent of the legislation.
The group, which represents about 1,500 ranchers around the state, says the bill was bad public policy and threatened private property rights. Supporters argued that it would not have prohibited landowners from hunting coyotes to protect their property.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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