Article: Hollywood company sues for right to webcast cockfights from Puerto Rico.

Byline: Vanessa Blum

Jul. 11--The founder of a Hollywood company that webcasts cockfights from Puerto Rico wants to make sure a federal law banning broadcasts of animal cruelty doesn't get in the way of his fledgling business.

Jason Atkins, 35, sued the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday in Miami federal court, arguing the ban should not apply to his firm's Web site because cockfights are an accepted and legal part of Puerto Rican culture.

"These birds are doing what they naturally do," said Atkins, an ex-Marine sniper. "To me, it's more humane than fishing or hunting."

Federal law makes it a felony to create, sell or possess ...

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