‘Kudos’ among Pakistani men sees cases of cockfighting rise
COCKFIGHTING cases have soared by a third in the last five years, with RSPCA inspectors claiming there has been a rise in popularity among sections of the British Pakistani community.
Figures published by the charity, show how investigations into the bloodsport – which was banned in Britain almost 200 years ago – have been increasing steadily, rising from 45 cases in 2012 to 60 last year.
Chief inspector Mike Butcher, who works in the RSPCA’S special operations unit, said it was unclear why cases were on the increase, but he had been seeing more cases from within certain communities.
He said: “Cockfighting is one of those activities that has never gone away since it was made illegal in 1835 – it has just continued since then.
“I have been doing this job for 45 years and so I have seen peaks and troughs in its popularity over that time. Traditionally it was something that took place within the travelling community, but in recent years I have seen an increasing number of cases involving British Pakistani men.
“I have no idea why that is but it is an activity that goes on in Pakistan, where it is not policed, and that seems to be reflected over here too, where it is policed.”
Eight British Pakistani men from Ilford in east London are due to go on trial later this year in connection with a cockfighting ring.
The fights, which are often over in seconds, see specially bred birds thrown together in pits and encouraged to attack one another.
In many cases trainers attach razor sharp spurs to their feet in order to inflict maximum damage to their opponents. Despite the brutality, those convicted can expect a short sentence. Under the Animal Welfare Act, the maximum jail term is six months.
Mr Butcher said: “People involved bet on the outcome, but often it is not about money, but about breeding the top bird and gaining kudos within your community.”
Chris Luffingham, a League Against Cruel Sports director, has called for a national register of animal abusers and for reform on the sale of birds.