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Cockfighting Basics
Cockfighting
was a series of one-on-one battles between birds of opposing
teams. The birds were bred specifically for fighting. Their
wings were clipped, they were given sharp steel spurs, and
their beaks were filed sharp. In a battle royal, many birds
would be thrown together into a pit. King James I "was made
very merry" by one such fight in 1617. Cockfights allowed the
lower classes to mix with the upper – they appealed to all
levels of society.
History of
Cockfighting
Cockfighting
has been practised throughout history. It was popular in
ancient Asian cultures, was adopted by the Greeks and Romans,
continued through the medieval period, and today it remains a
recognised sport in some parts of the world. Some countries have
banned the sport due to the harm birds inflict upon one
another, but in other countries it's a legitimate form of
popular entertainment. The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 banned
it in England, Wales, and the British overseas territories and
it
was banned in Scotland in 1895.
Modern
Cockfighting
Cockfighting
remains largely unchanged from earlier times. Many countries
have established arenas for cockfighting, akin to arenas used
for other combat sports like wrestling or boxing. Roosters are
naturally aggressive toward one another, a trait which
cockfighting exploits for entertainment. Prior to fights,
birds may be trained rigorously with the use of obstacle
courses or mock-fights with other roosters. Before a fight
owners pluck most of the bird's feathers and cut off its
wattle so an opponent can't rip it off. Fights may last from a
few seconds to fifteen minutes or more. While birds don't necessarily
have to die for one to win, their injuries are often so severe
that death is common.
In countries that have banned cockfights, the sport often
takes place in defiance of the law and fights are advertised
through word-of-mouth. Locations are changed often so as to
avoid the notice of authorities. Betting is still integral.
While it's often controversial, many people see it as part of
their cultural heritage. Despite the objections of animal
rights groups, it remains legitimate and legal in parts of the
world and where it's not, some people still hold cockfights in
defiance of the law, and the normal rules of civilised
behaviour.
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