A legislative committee has rejected a proposal to keep cockfighting legal in Virginia as long as there's no gambling or minors involved.

The Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee unanimously endorsed legislation Monday that would make cockfighting a felony. Cockfighting is now illegal only if there's gambling - and even then, it's only a misdemeanor.

The Virginia Game Fowl Association asked the committee to exempt its approximately 2,000 members from the proposed new law. Opponents said the exemption would violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution. The panel voted it down 11-3.

The bill also makes it easier for authorities to investigate and prosecute dogfighting, which already is a felony.

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