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The state Senate voted Friday to ban coyote-killing contests, a proposal with bipartisan backing that opponents said underscored the gulf between rural and urban New Mexico. <\/p>\n
The legislation, which would make it a misdemeanor to organize or take part in coyote-killing contests, passed 27-13 and headed to the House. <\/p>\n
Similar legislation was rejected in the House two years ago. <\/p>\n
There has been renewed focus on the issue since the grisly discovery recently of nearly 40 coyote carcasses dumped in the desert outside Las Cruces. <\/p>\n
The recent discovery of carcasses near Las Cruces rekindled debate over coyote-killing contests. (Eddie Moore\/Albuquerque Journal) <\/p>\n
Its really not the kind of image we want our state to have, said Sen. Mark Moores, an Albuquerque Republican sponsoring Senate Bill 253. <\/p>\n
He said the contests amount to blood sports killing things for the sake of killing things. <\/p>\n
Typically, he said, they are organized by gun shops and award prizes to those who can kill the most coyotes in a set time period. <\/p>\n
Making them illegal would deter gun shop owners from organizing the contests, because theyre diligent about following the law, he said. <\/p>\n
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Read more from the original source: <\/p>\n
Updated: Senate passes bipartisan bill to ban coyote-killing contests<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ........................................................................................................................................................................................ The state Senate voted Friday to ban coyote-killing contests, a proposal with bipartisan backing that opponents said underscored the gulf between rural and urban New Mexico. The legislation, which would make it a misdemeanor to organize or take part in coyote-killing contests, passed 27-13 and headed to the House. Continue reading