Cockfighting
A cockfight is when two roosters (gamecocks) are placed into a ring to fight, and people bet on which bird will win. The fight normally continues until one of the birds is dead, which usually lasts anywhere from a couple minutes to an hour. Razor-sharp spurs are placed on the roosters legs in order to shorten the fight.
Gamecocks are not ordinary roosters. They are specially bred to be vicious and hostile. Several types of drugs (such as caffeine, strychnine, epinephrine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines) are used to toughen the skin, increase the stamina, and make the birds more aggressive. We do not know why gamecocks were chosen for these contests, but it is suggested that their inherent aggression towards other males of the same species makes them easier to train and participate in these fights.
Relationship with Gambling
Cockfighting has long been associated with gambling. In countries such as France, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Belgium, Spain, Haiti, Italy and Malaysia, competitions often last all day, with the organizers taking bets from the audience members. These bets often take place on an informal level, with bookies entering the stands and recording the wagers in small notebooks, and paying out the winners at the end of each fight. Many thousands of dollars can change hands at even the smallest events. Cockfighting trainers are often highly respected and can earn a comfortable living and even a measure of notoriety. They are known to take great pride in their stock, and often gain reputations which cross borders and span generations.
The events are often a part of mainstream entertainment, as popular as baseball is in the United States. It is normal to see entire families in attendance, as cockfighting has a firm place in the culture of many societies around the world. It is often cited as a prime example of all living creatures need to establish a natural social hierarchy or "pecking order" as it were. Thus, it is scene as an "educational tool" by many around the world. However, there are also signs of mounting opposition to cockfighting in many of these countries, as animal rights activists are beginning to question the practise, as they have been doing in other countries around the world.
Legal issues
Cockfighting is illegal everywhere in the US apart from two states - New Mexico and Louisiana. Quite recently, and in as many as 30 states, the crime of cockfighting has been upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony. It is also illegal to watch a cockfight, transport birds for the intent to engage in a fight, or to possess cocks for this purpose. In June 2005, 144 people were arrested in Tennessee for attending a cockfight. Each of them was charged with a misdemeanor and could face up to 6 months in prison.
Much like bull fighting in Spain or whale hunting in Japan, the issue of cockfighting is complicated due to cultural beliefs and traditions which differ from nation to nation. It is not always easy to apply the same ways of thinking, especially when dealing with local customs and traditional beliefs. However, there is no doubt that a growing number of people throughout the world view cockfighting as an unnecessarily cruel, and even barbaric, ritual.
Animal Cruelty issues
Opponents of cockfighting claim that although these birds possess an inherent dislike for each other and are often seen to act aggressively towards one another, it is usually merely to establish dominance. The fights rarely result in the death of a bird. People who oppose cockfighting on the basis that it is unjustifiably cruel and inhumane argue that people have warped the natural inclinations of the birds for sadistic pleasure. Cockfighting is thus considered by many to be an inexcusable custom which additionally and unnecessarily exposes children to violence at a young age.
No comments:
Post a Comment