When a new law takes effect today, it no longer will be legal to fight roosters in New Mexico. That leaves Louisiana as the only state where cockfighting is legal — though a ban is under consideration there.

"People in this state have been fighting roosters for hundreds of years. Then all of a sudden to outlaw it, that's just not right," said Ronald Barron, president of the New Mexico Game Fowl Association.

Cockfighters plan to file a lawsuit challenging the ban, possibly as early as next week. An Idaho lawyer who is representing the New Mexico cockfighters didn't return telephone messages seeking details.

Supporters of the legislation against cockfighting include animal-rights activists and New Mexico's three Roman Catholic bishops, who say cockfighting is cruel to the animals and should have been outlawed long ago.

Several New Mexico counties already had banned the bloodsport before the statewide ban was passed by the Legislature in March.

During a cockfight, two roosters fitted with blades or gaffs on their legs are placed into a pit and fight until one is dead or badly wounded. Although gambling on the fights is illegal, spectators openly wager on the outcome.

The law makes participating in a cockfight a misdemeanor for the first two offenses and a felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison for subsequent offenses.

"We are putting people on notice," Attorney General Gary King warned. "If you violate animal-protection laws, you will be prosecuted."

Barron said many cockfighters are law-abiding citizens. He predicted they'll stop attending the fights, but he also believes the law will simply force others underground.

"Yep, it's going to happen, no doubt in my mind," he said. "It happens all throughout the United States. Why should it be any different in New Mexico?"

Barron said the law unfaiis business will shift to Texas border communities, such as Ojinaga, Mexico. But he also said cockfighters are planning to open a pit in Palomas, Mexico, which is across the border from Columbus, N.M.