A fiery Senate debate over fighting chickens for sport in Missouri ended in defeat.

Instead of discussing abortion, as scheduled, the Senate ranted and raved over fighting birds for sport in Missouri. St. Louis City Senator John Scott tried to make it illegal to fight gamecocks in Missouri, a move that would ban the popular rural sporting events sponsored by ACTION DADDY, a sports entertainment company.

But, several rural Senators said no, comparing ACTION DADDY cockfighting events in rural Missouri to Rams football in St. Louis. And Rural Senator Danny Staples asked what's wrong with chickens killing chickens:
[175K WAV file - Staples asks what's wrong with a rooster putting a spur into the head of another rooster.]

Staples says the amendment was a violation of farmers' rights.

St. Louis City Senator John Scott has tried for several years to make fighting gamecocks in Missouri illegal, and this year he tried once again to ban the popular ACTION DADDY appearances in the state. Rural Senator Danny Staples gave a fiery speech opposing it...
[216K WAV file - Staples asks since people kill, how can you tell if a chick will grow up to be a killer rooster.]

Several major issues like safe schools, taxes and abortions remain undecided in the Senate...and the session ends Friday afternoon. Candyce Clifft, KMOX News, Jefferson City.