A Matter of Curiosity

While perusing the Sacramento Bee, I was interested to find an article about cockfighting. Despite coming from the Ohio River Valley, I haven't had much exposure to the idea of spur-laden roosters gouging each other's flesh. So, when I read through the article, I began to wonder: Why is cock fighting illegal? At first the question seems dumb, but I think it comes down to an element of our society that is slowly being redefined. Animals, unfortunately, are gaining legal rights. Indeed, the presence of "Humane Societies" is disturbing; the word "humane" refers to a desire to remove suffering or pain, but the root word is "human," not "animal." To treat animals in a humane way when we can barely interact with other humans on such a level on a regular basis (how often have you wanted to cause suffering to a fellow man on the road simply because he is driving too slowly, or to a fellow man behind a fast food counter because he accidentally put tomato on your sandwich? Remember cussing out and beating up people?) seems to me absurd. Even I, the disagreeable one, cannot find ethical or logical fault in simply not mistreating animals. Personally, I don't believe we should treat animals with cruelty. But, I also don't believe we should have legal institutions and precendents that grant animals rights. Men are above animals, and we have every right to do with them what we will. We should use reason, we should use restraint, and we should use compassion, because the facility to use these mental checks is what makes us superior. But, if we choose not to, that is our option. The law should not prevent people from arming their chickens and sending them into deadly melee. The idea is simply too stupid for the law to touch. But Law once more sullies itself with statutes designed to curb such activity. I ask you, why make a practice like that illegal? I seriously doubt cock fights would spread and ruin our society if unrestrained by law; not everyone wants to raise chickens, and fewer people probably want to see said chickens mangling each other in mortal combat. So why arrest those that do? I don't have any answers, and I know this post has been disjointed, but that's because it's an extended question, an exploration of a matter which has jostled my sense of curiosity.