The Tennessean newspaper reported "cockfighting crackdown stalls again" in describing the repeated failure  of the Tennessee General Assembly to criminalize this blood sport.  Tennessee is one of only 12 states that doesn't classify cockfighting as a felony.  According to the article:

"Rep. Frank Niceley, R-Knoxville, argues that cockfighting should not be a felony because there's not the jail space - and because it's a cultural tradition.  'They pay their taxes.  They're not bothering anybody. ...It's been going on for centuries; I don't know what the big deal is'."