Humane Society urges citizens to report cockfighting, calls for compassion

HYDERABAD: The Humane Society International/India (HSI), an animal protection organisation is urging citizens to report cockfighting. Cockfighting is prevalent in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu during Sankranti.

The HSI said that in cockfights, two roosters, often fitted with a razor-sharp curved blade on their spurs, were forced to fight each other to death. The fight ends with either one or both of the roosters dying. The remaining rooster inevitably dies from grievous injuries sustained in the process.

HSI Managing Director Alokparna Sengupta said: "Engaging in cockfighting not only inflicts immense suffering on animals but is also linked with cockfights and exploits people. HSI/India urges every individual to dissuade others from indulging in this inhumane & unlawful activity and promptly inform the nearest police station of any cockfights being organised or conducted. This festive season, as we celebrate our harvest, let us prioritize compassion.”

Elaborating further the HSI pointed out that large audiences attend cockfighting events where bets ranging from a few thousand to crores of rupees are placed. Organizers set up large arenas on open lands, sometimes on grounds of schools, to accommodate ‘fight-rings’, ‘viewing seats’, and areas for stalls/tables for other gambling like dice or card games.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 under sections 11(1)(m)(ii) makes it an offense to incite animal fights. Organising, keeping, using, or acting in the management of any place for animal fighting or permitting or offering any place to be used for such purpose is a cognizable offense under section 11(1)(n) of the Act.

In addition to the cruelty inflicted on these birds, cockfighting events are intrinsically linked with gambling, and the arenas also serve as a focal point for various other illegal activities such as the sale of illicit liquor. The Andhra Pradesh/Telangana Gaming Act of 1974

People risk their hard-earned money in the bets on such fights. Every year the betting runs into thousands of crores according to media reports, Cockfighting events pander to child labour and expose them to extreme violence against animals. Children are often used to deliver liquor from stalls at the animal fighting arenas. They butcher the dead or dying birds. Such activities have profound implications on their physical and mental well-being.

HSI said that cockfighting was also extremely dangerous for humans who were present at such illegal events. Just last year, at two different places, two people succumbed to wounds caused by knives tied on roosters. Several people were injured in the crowded arenas and fights broke out over the bets.

The organisation said compared cockfighting to an illegal act that entailed violent and anti-social activities that were not tolerated by law. “It is our moral responsibility as law-abiding, compassionate citizens to report such activities,” HSI said.