Oklahoma farmer defends cockfighting

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — An Oklahoma farmer is defending cockfighting after a major bust a couple months ago.

B.L. Cozad, who lives in Bryan County, even invited dozens to the arena where the bust happened to try to raise money for legal fees.

Cockfighting has been illegal in Oklahoma for 20 years, but that's not stopping him from fighting the charges.

"You're simply testing and competing the game cock, to test it for the natural genetic traits that God put into the creature, when he created it," Cozad said.

Animal Wellness Action, a group trying to stop illegal cockfighting, says it's still very active in southeastern Oklahoma.