(IN) Cockfights, a popular sport in Kerala

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Cockfights, a popular sport in Kerala

 

By ANI

Saturday May 12, 11:58 AM

 

By Juhan Samuel

 

Kasaragod (Kerala), May 12 (ANI): Cockfights, once patronised by

royalty, still popular in many parts of Kerala.

 

The cruel sport has birds mauling each other often till death, as

the encircling crowds cheer and exchange money on every winning

stroke.

 

Held as a ritual, the cockfight is popular in northern parts of

Kerala, mainly in Kasaragod District.

 

" It is believed that offering of cock blood to the Theyam Gods will

protect family members. The fight is associated with this

tradition, " said N. Laxmanan, a local temple official

 

The ritual has emerged as one of the most favourite sports of rural

folk, especially for betting, as a large number of men gather on

this occasion and gamble aggressively on the roosters.

 

Despite protests by animal rights groups and crackdowns by police,

these people have refused to give up their 'traditional sport'.

 

" This is a mythological ritual in these regions and associated with

temple festivals but now people have started misusing this tradition

and started gambling on this ritual, the person loses if the cock

runs away or killed by the other cock, " said Gobi K, a social

activist.

 

Believed to be the world's oldest sport, cockfighting has become a

business for many, and breeders spend a huge amount of money on

rearing roosters, which are tailor-made to fight.

 

From rich landlords to the poorest of toddy tappers, villagers

invariably raise " fighter cocks " at home, to be used for the duels.

 

The natural spurs of roosters are sawed off and replaced by razor

sharp steel blades. They are also given drugs to maximize their

aggression and stamina.

 

A cockfight is a blood sport between two specially trained roosters

held in a ring called a cockpit.

 

The combatants, known as gamecocks or cocks, are specially bred

birds, conditioned for increased stamina and strength.

 

The comb and wattle are cut off in order to facilitate the placement

of a hood over the birds' heads to keep them calm prior to the

beginning of a fight and to decrease the potential for wounds and

bleeding in these fleshy areas.

 

Cocks possess congenital aggression toward all males of the same

species, which is amplified through training and conditioning

 

In some regional variations, the birds are equipped with either

gaffs or knives tied to the leg in the area where the bird's natural

spur has been partially removed. A cockspur is a bracelet (often

made of leather) with a curved, sharp spike which is attached to the

leg of the bird. (ANI)