Cockfighting is a sport it which two roosters are placed in a ring and are encouraged to battle each other, sometimes to the death. The roosters are referred to as gamecocks and are specially bred to be large and aggressive and are trained in fighting. In some variations a metal spur is attached to the gamecock's leg so that more injury can be inflicted. Cockfighting is illegal in the United States and much of Europe however in some countries such as India and Pakistan it is legal and even a popular sport.
Cockfighting initially developed in the Indus river valley in modern day India in the year 2000 BC. The sport spread throughout India, China and Persia where it is currently still popular. Cockfighting was brought to ancient Greece around 500 BC, and was then brought to the Roman Empire around the 1st century AD. It then spread through Europe where both upper and lower class people engaged in the sport. Currently, Asia and Central America are regions where cockfighting is still heavily practiced.
Cockfighting is considered to be a blood sport by animal welfare activists due to the physical damage the gamecocks do to each other. Often a bout is stopped before a cock is killed - however in some regional variations the fight is to the death. Due to this, cockfighting is banned in a number of countries. The last US state to ban cockfighting was Louisiana, which banned it in 2007. In 33 states it is a felony to participate in cockfighting, and it is illegal to be a spectator of a fight in 40 states.
To prepare a cock for fighting, spurs are often added to the legs of the rooster. These metal knives are taped to the legs so that when the rooster strikes with its talons, the knives can wound the opposing cock. These knives can have multiple blades and can cause a great deal of damage to the opposing rooster. In addition to the intense training some of these birds go through, some owners even give their gamecock a quick massage before a match. Because of the financial rewards of winning and the risk of your bird dying if it loses, owners put a great deal of effort into making sure their birds are prepared to fight.
History of Cockfighting - A brief history of cockfighting from its origins to the 21st century.
Background Info on Cockfighting - A short description about what cockfighting is and the training and preparation that goes into it.
US Sentate Report on Cockfighting - An excerpt of the legal wording that is put into place to ban cockfighting in the US.
Cockfighting Laws By State - State by state information about the laws surrounding cockfighting.
Cockfighting Fact Sheet - A fact sheet produced by the Humane Society of the US.
Cockfighting Info - Information about cockfighting and other blood sports.
ASPCA Cockfighting Info - Information from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals about cockfighting.
Cockfighting News Report - A video report about the banning of cockfighting in Louisiana. Provides background information as well as a look at what a cockfight looks like.