French court rules that law aimed at ending cockfighting is constitutional

In this photo dated Wednesday, July 29, 2015 cocks fight during a sparring session in St Anne, Reunion Island. France’s top court has ruled that a law aimed at extinction of cockfighting in some parts of France is constitutional. The Constitutional Council confirmed on Friday, July 31, 2015 that the creation of new cockfighting rings _called cockpit_ is banned. Cockfighting is legal only in regions where it’s considered as a deeply-rooted tradition, especially in northern France and overseas. (AP Photo/Fabrice Wislez) (The Associated Press)

prev next

In this photo dated Wednesday, July 29, 2015 a man holds a fighting cock before a sparring session in St Anne, Reunion Island. France’s top court has ruled that a law aimed at extinction of cockfighting in some parts of France is constitutional. The Constitutional Council confirmed on Friday, July 31, 2015 that the creation of new cockfighting rings _called cockpit_ is banned. Cockfighting is legal only in regions where it’s considered as a deeply-rooted tradition, especially in northern France and overseas. (AP Photo/Fabrice Wislez) (The Associated Press)

PARIS – France's top court has ruled that a law aimed at ending cockfighting in France is constitutional.

The Constitutional Council confirmed on Friday the ban on the creation of new cockfighting rings — called cockpits. The law had been challenged by supporters of the tradition.

The law, dating back to 1964, aims to gradually get rid of all cockpits and therefore, cockfighting.

Cockfighting is legal only in regions where it's considered a deeply-rooted tradition, especially in northern France and the French territories Reunion island, French Guyana, and French Antilles.

Otherwise, it is considered animal cruelty and is punishable by up to two years imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 euros ($33,000).

Cockfighting is a common practice in Southeast Asia and parts of Latin America, but is illegal in most Western countries.