This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Senate approved legislation Monday to make it a felony to engage in cockfighting in Utah — the last state in the West where it is still a misdemeanor.

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, said that a national game fighting magazine has taken note that it is still a misdemeanor in the state and said "they believe the Legislature condones cockfighting in Utah."

The felony provision would not apply to breeders of game birds. Being a spectator of a cockfight is a class B misdemeanor.

The bill passed the Senate 17-11 and goes to the House for consideration. It passed the Senate last year, as well, but died when the House and Senate couldn't agree on the bill.

— Robert Gehrke