The sport is my only source of livelihood, I also make money by taking care of birds that get injured during the fight,’ said fight organizer.As a rule, cockfights are held in villages and small towns of the province after the fight organisers, who are usually the owners of the fighting roosters, offer police part of the booty.
They bet thousands of rupees on the fighting birds and encourage cheering crowds to do the same to help them earn more in case their cock takes the field.
Despite a ban on cockfights under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1890 the blood sport continues to be held at a smaller scale in many areas of the district, particularly Kario Ghanwar, Mataro Hotel and main villages of Golarchi, Tando Bago and Matli.
‘The sport is my only source of livelihood, I also make money by taking care of birds that get injured during the fight,’ Noor Mohammad Chang said.
The combatants get injured by the spars, which are fitted with sharp pointed objects, almost two inch long. At times, what enables a rooster to carry the day is his first attack on the unsuspecting opponent rather than his strength, he said.
He said that a cockfight can last from several minutes to half an hour. However, the fighting roosters are separated and made to rest like pugilists every 5 to 10 minutes, he said.
They use a mixture of salt, sugar and water to soothe injuries of the rooster and if the wounds are not critical he is again thrown into the fighting field to resume the fight, which continues till one of the birds either dies fighting or leaves the opponent handicapped. Sometimes, both the birds die from fatal wounds. The critically injured birds, if they recover, are then used for breeding.
Every bird owner has his own formula for preparing feed for the rooster but the rule of thumb is that the feed should contain ingredients, which makes the roosters strong but not fat.
Urs Mallah said that a small quantity of pistachios, almonds, milk, boiled eggs and apple were given regularly specially to trained roosters. The cocks were massaged and made to jog every day to build up stamina, he said.
A tall bird with small eyes, a long tail, thin legs, medium-size neck, a small crown and a spur close to its big claws is sold for Rs30,000 and an untrained cock costs between Rs600 to Rs1,500.
To Mallah it was painful to see cockpits in different localities being raided by police. ‘This traditional sport is not only a poor man’s game but the rich also get attracted to it so as long as they frequent cockpits without fear,’ he said.
Gul Mohammad, a villager, said that no authority was ready to take action under the law, hence the blood sport continued. Neither, any non-governmental organisation has given any attention to it.
Maqsood Ahmed Chandio, local president of a rights association, said that according to law, any person inciting any animal to fight or baiting any animal or aiding or abetting any such incitement of baiting can be punished with fine which may extend to Rs100.
‘Isn’t it a cruel joke, considering the brutality to which the birds are exposed and the huge money bet on this sport,’ he said.
He suggested that the fine should be more than Rs70,000. Fights between cocks, partridges, dogs, wild hogs and bears were common in the province as in many cases they generated millions of rupees through betting, he said.
They bet thousands of rupees on the fighting birds and encourage cheering crowds to do the same to help them earn more in case their cock takes the field.
Despite a ban on cockfights under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1890 the blood sport continues to be held at a smaller scale in many areas of the district, particularly Kario Ghanwar, Mataro Hotel and main villages of Golarchi, Tando Bago and Matli.
‘The sport is my only source of livelihood, I also make money by taking care of birds that get injured during the fight,’ Noor Mohammad Chang said.
The combatants get injured by the spars, which are fitted with sharp pointed objects, almost two inch long. At times, what enables a rooster to carry the day is his first attack on the unsuspecting opponent rather than his strength, he said.
He said that a cockfight can last from several minutes to half an hour. However, the fighting roosters are separated and made to rest like pugilists every 5 to 10 minutes, he said.
They use a mixture of salt, sugar and water to soothe injuries of the rooster and if the wounds are not critical he is again thrown into the fighting field to resume the fight, which continues till one of the birds either dies fighting or leaves the opponent handicapped. Sometimes, both the birds die from fatal wounds. The critically injured birds, if they recover, are then used for breeding.
Every bird owner has his own formula for preparing feed for the rooster but the rule of thumb is that the feed should contain ingredients, which makes the roosters strong but not fat.
Urs Mallah said that a small quantity of pistachios, almonds, milk, boiled eggs and apple were given regularly specially to trained roosters. The cocks were massaged and made to jog every day to build up stamina, he said.
A tall bird with small eyes, a long tail, thin legs, medium-size neck, a small crown and a spur close to its big claws is sold for Rs30,000 and an untrained cock costs between Rs600 to Rs1,500.
To Mallah it was painful to see cockpits in different localities being raided by police. ‘This traditional sport is not only a poor man’s game but the rich also get attracted to it so as long as they frequent cockpits without fear,’ he said.
Gul Mohammad, a villager, said that no authority was ready to take action under the law, hence the blood sport continued. Neither, any non-governmental organisation has given any attention to it.
Maqsood Ahmed Chandio, local president of a rights association, said that according to law, any person inciting any animal to fight or baiting any animal or aiding or abetting any such incitement of baiting can be punished with fine which may extend to Rs100.
‘Isn’t it a cruel joke, considering the brutality to which the birds are exposed and the huge money bet on this sport,’ he said.
He suggested that the fine should be more than Rs70,000. Fights between cocks, partridges, dogs, wild hogs and bears were common in the province as in many cases they generated millions of rupees through betting, he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment