Cockfighting is a bloody old sport in which 2 roosters are placed in a small pit to fight. Most roosters are specially bred to fight and are known as gamecocks. Their natural spurs are sawed off and steel blades called "gaffs" are fitted into their legs. Gaffs resemble 3" long, curved ice picks and are designed to puncture and mutilate.

The birds cannot escape from the fight. They are forced to fight until a winner is declared, no matter how injured and exhausted they become. Whether they win or lose, birds suffer in these cockfights. Their injuries may include pierced or gouged eyes, punctured lungs, or broken bones. A cockfight usually results in the death of one of the birds; sometimes both roosters die. A typical cockfight can last anywhere from several minutes to more than half an hour. Large cockfighting pits kill up to 1,000 birds in a single weekend.

While it is true that roosters have a natural aggression in which they will fight over food, mates, or to establish dominance (pecking order), natural rooster fights seldom result in serious injury. Their natural behavior is vastly different from staged cockfights, where pairs of birds, are bred for maximum aggressiveness and are sometimes given steroids or other drugs to make them more successful fighters.

Cockfights are a breeding ground for criminal activity and considered a threat to public safety. Illegal gambling is usually involved and weapons are common at these fights because of the presence of large amounts of cash. Gangs and drug networks have been tied to animal fighting in several states. The presence of children at animal fights can promote insensitivity to animal and human suffering as well as give them an enthusiasm for violence.

In May 2005, the mayor of Blue Ridge in North Georgia was arrested, after he was caught on videotape in the middle of a cockfighting ring in what the GBI says is one of the most elaborate cockfighting rings they've seen.

On 5 occasions, the GBI sent undercover agents into a cockfighting ring with a hidden camera. Each time, agents say Mayor Green was there, and he even had a reserved seat with his name on it. The GBI says this is the third time Mayor Green has been charged for gambling at cockfights. Four other men were charged with felonies for allegedly organizing the cockfights.

Nineteen Arrested At Alleged Cockfight
Jan 23 04:37 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Pleasant Grove police arrested 19 people and confiscated 25 birds in a raid on an alleged cockfight at a barn in Lindon.

Several people escaped.

Those arrested were cited for animal cruelty and released. The class B misdemeanor carries a maximum punishment of up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Those attending the event had been charged admission and were allowed to place bets on the fights, Capt. Cody Cullimore said.

Officers raided the event Sunday at about noon.

Several children ages 8 to 10 were detained and later released to their parents.

Cullimore said the alleged organizer of the event was not present as he was in jail on other charges.

Five dead birds were taken as evidence.

Source: AP - AP Wire Service