Dear Editor,

Cockfighting, a blood sport in which roosters are placed in a ring and forced to fight to the death for the "amusement" of onlookers, is illegal throughout the United States and in Europe. Roosters are born, raised, and trained to fight on "game farms." Breeders (also called "cockers") kill the birds they deem inferior, keeping only the birds which are "game" willing to fight.

Many of these birds spend most of their lives tethered by one leg near inadequate shelter, such as a plastic barrel or a small wire cage. Breeders condition the birds to fight through physical work, including attaching weights to their legs, and practice fights with other roosters. Breeders often pluck the birds' feathers and hack off the roosters' waddles and/or combs (the flesh at the top of their heads and under their beaks) with shears 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. According to one eyewitness, "With neck feathers fanned and wings whirring, the birds jump and parry at each other. They kick and duel in mid-air, striking at each other with feet and beak." If the fighting wanes, handlers pick up the birds and blow on their backs, yank at their beaks, or hold them beak-to-beak in an attempt to "reignite the frenzy."

Before the match starts, two handlers grab a bird each and proceed to do some sort of pre-fight ritual, where they are swung around in swift, coordinated motions and feathers are ruffled in a particular way. This is to get the birds riled-up I presume. The birds are then re-pitted, and the fight doesn't end until one rooster is dead or nearly dead. "Losing" birds are often discarded in a barrel or trash can near the game pit, even while they are still alive.

In addition to cruelty to animals, cockfighting is often linked to other crimes, such as illegal gambling, drug use or selling, and even murder; a triple homicide occurred at a Northern California cockfight. Children are often present at cockfights; exposure to such violence can promote insensitivity to suffering and an enthusiasm for bloodshed. At least eight cases of bird flu have been tied to cockfighting, as has a 2002 exotic Newcastle disease epidemic in California. Bird owners regularly come into contact with the birds' blood, allowing diseases to spread.

The Washington Post reported that at one cockfight, "[bird] owners scrubbed the blood off their birds with bare hands, and then stitched the wounds around their eyes," and "sometimes the injuries are so severe that owners relieve the swelling by sucking out the blood by mouth."

How do they meet their bloody fate? The roosters can have their lungs punctured, leaving them rasping and gasping to their death. They may have their eyes pecked out. They could be impaled through the brain with the little spikes affixed to the feet their opponents. It seems inhumane doesn't it? Still the issue of cockfighting presents many questions for healthy, cultural and cruelty debates.

For decades, many countries have practiced the violent sport of cockfighting. During these popular, cruel social events, men make bets while roosters are confronted and forced to fight, causing pain, injuries and in lots of cases, the death of the looser. Right now a law against making animals fight is been evaluated, but cockfighting will probably enjoy the privilege of legality, because of its "cultural significance." Let us show our government that all animals suffer the same, and that this cruel and violent practice should be banned once and for all. Tradition is no excuse for cruelty, and as more and more people realize how barbaric this so-called "heritage" is, it will be outlawed completely.

The sport should be banned. It's a torture of animals for the titillation of spectators, who enjoy the bloody violence and gambling. Readers should write to their newspaper to ask government to ban all animal fighting, including cockfighting.

Isa de Luca

Animals R Friends St Maarten