The Rooster Fight - A Shameful Cultural Tradition

Very curious I was when I saw my dad arriving home, for the very first time, with 4 small boxes made of leather with small holes in each side, I wanted to know what was inside. I was a kid of 11 years old.

As usual, my dad was quiet, like he always was when I asked him a question that could put his morality in doubt. Now as an adult, I understand why he did not give explanations or taught us about that stupid hobby he had for a short time. He did not want us to be involved.

I waited that day for my dad to leave, so I could go to the laundry room and see through the holes what was inside. They were there, 4 roosters with beautiful feathers, one in each box, also looking through the holes who came to visit them. By then I couldn't understand why they were there trapped. Later on I learned that those were roosters meant for cock fights. I remember my dad stopping by, while one of our family Sunday trips, in one of the cockpits of the city to make a visit while we were waiting in the car.

I guess I have to thank my mom who was the one that made my dad stop bringing those poor animals to our home, and also influenced him to forget about that cruel activity some call absurdly a sport.

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A cock fight, is defined as a combat between 2 roosters called fine fighter bird. According to history, this type of activity has been practiced for more than 2 centuries in China, and even longer in India. Nowadays, there are two popular ways of fighting, one is using a razor’s spur or an artificial spur made of plastic, fish bone or turtle shell, which are tied to the legs. These are meant to inflict maximum harm to the “opponent”.

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While doing a research on the Galleros (rooster fight practitioners) of Latin America and Panama, I was trying to find reasons for these fights to exist that could somehow make me understand why they are held. I learned why they exist and how it’s a cultural activity, but I couldn't find any valid reason to keep preserving this type of tradition.

All the Galleros will tell you it’s not cruelty because in a rooster fight both have equal conditions. According to them, it is natural for these type of roosters to fight, and that they are not stressed because it’s in their instinct to combat one another.

These is a list of the most common reasons why rooster fights should continue and never being ban (according with these Galleros):

• Is a tradition and part of our history, defines our identity.
• There are plenty of job opportunities around these activities which need to be protected such as those that make accessories for these roosters fighters, the ones that make special food for them, laboratorists, and all the persons involved in these gambling events.
• There are many other worse situations such as men killing men, which are more important than rooster fights.
• Social entities, like PETA are against it because of pressure from international companies that donate a lot of money to them to reduce their tax payments, so they demand results.
• Rooster fights are not held in public places, are private activities and nobody is obligated to attend to them.
• If rooster fights are banned, then governmental authorities will kill all the fighter roosters, like in Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica.

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I am sure by now you have probably thought how come we still allow this in many countries with all these ridiculous reasons.

From the moment an animal suffers, not spontaneously or naturally, but with the influence of us humans, it’s considered cruelty.

Aggressivity is present in all species, even in humans or domestic animals like dogs, bulls, horses, etc. We learn from elementary school that male animals tend to attack others for female competition, animals attack other animals because they hunt for food, and also they fight each other for territory. Two roosters fighting with deadly weapons in a cockpit, surrounded by people screaming, without having nowhere to run is not a natural environment. Here they don’t fight for a female nor territory, here they fight until one dies or is wounded just for the fun and the pockets of a few.

There will always be something worse, it is true there are other animal cruelty traditions in this world, but that does not mean solidarity is exclusive or that these rooster fights are ok.

It is normal for them to fight because they are equal and both have same conditions? So why not we make dog fight legal again? Dogs can also be aggressive, they are equal and can fight under same conditions as well right? What is the difference, beside the species, between a dog fight and a rooster fight?

Talking about cultural traditions… history tells us that the ones that brought these so called “traditions” where the colonizers from Spain. Ironically speaking, while these cruel activities are defended as traditions, in Spain the Rooster Fights are now prohibited in the majority of the autonomous communities, the only exceptions are Canarias and Andalucía, besides this, bullfights are being also regulated more and more, and it has been declared illegal in some areas to hurt the bull and kill him. On a positive note, a lot of social groups for animal protection are getting stronger.

Knowing that in Costa Rica, rooster fights were just banned last year (2017) and it’s considered a criminal act now, it’s very encouraging. We are neighbors and a lot of behaviors are shared as latin brothers.

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How are things in my country, Panama:

Unfortunately, this tradition is very popular all over the country, despite the fact that it’s not regulated, nor taxes are paid from the gambling. A lot of people consider it normal, even politicians.

Here the use of razors is not allowed, they use artificial spurs made of turtle shell, which is also dangerous and deadly. In many areas the galleros don't treat these animals with dignity, putting them for hours inside small cages or tied from the legs with a short string all day and night.

In all of these private places, the owners make profit from the bar and entrance fees, but there is not much control for the kids to enter. Take into account that a lot of kids work also for the galleros to help them train these roosters.

Contradiction in our law:

Our Animal Protection law (#70, October 12th, 2012), clearly says:

Domestic Animal: That species that lives or is likely to live with the human being, whose life cycle, under ideal conditions, develops in dependence on him, whether as a pet, work, farming or production, show, sport or any activity related to the human being.

It also says:

Acts of cruelty. Inhuman actions that generate unnecessary pain and suffering to another living being.

And here is where the contradiction appears in the same law:

Article 13: Dog fights, races between animals and bull fights, whether Spanish or Portuguese style, with the exception of cockfights, horse races, equestrian sports, bullfights or bullfighting and others are prohibited. Animal competitions are regulated by special laws.

Clearly, this has no logic and for me it’s very embarrassing as a Panamanian. How come a rooster that suffers during a fight that is imposed to him until the moment of his death is not considered an inhuman action that generates unnecessary pain on him?.

According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Organization (PETA)

Breeders often pluck the birds’ feathers and hack off the roosters’ wattles and/or combs (the flesh at the top of their heads and under their beaks) to prevent other roosters from tearing them off in the ring. Since roosters do not have sweat glands, losing these body parts deprives them of the ability to cool themselves. Some “cockers” cut off the birds’ spurs, which are the natural bony protrusions on the legs, so that more deadly, artificial weapons can be strapped to their legs. Law enforcement officials have found performance-enhancing drugs during raids.

So basically, this animals are created to come to the world to suffer even before they have their very first fight.

Is the solution to ban the breeding and the celebration of these events completely?

Of course there is, there is not such a thing as _”there is no other recreational activity in the countryside” or “it will affect the local economy”.

I still question myself what is it that makes some people have solidarity with animals in suffer and what is it that makes others to enjoy seeing them suffering?

It is not a question of ignorance or education, there are plenty of educated people and professionals that enjoy to watch two roosters fight, their suffering and the bleeding until death.

So what is it really? How many more years or centuries do humans need to finally stop all type of recreational animal cruelty?

I see hope when comparing this century with previous centuries where the world was more cruel. If you think about it, we humans have a tendency to ethical progress, so I am sure that little by little more latin american nations will ban rooster fights through time. USA, Costa Rica, Brasil, Chile, Argentina, are just the beginning.

What can we do as an individuals?

Nowadays social media is a good way to create awareness. Share whatever you find helpful towards animal protection.

If you see or hear anything related with illegal events that involve animal cruelty in your city, do not hesitate to make a phone call to the local authorities.

Thanks!

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Informational Sources

• La ley 70 del 12 de octubre del 2012
• Spain approves law against bull hurting and killing.
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Organization (PETA)
• The Cock Fighter - Combat
• inheritance Cultural Cruelty

Images Sources

• Picture 1
• Picture 2
• Picture 3
• Picture 4
• Picture 5

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