In campaign against cock fights, Bopanna gets himself caged

Tennis ace Rohan Bopanna caged himself in support of a campaign against cock fights on Tuesday.

The campaign, organised by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India, called for a ban on sports that harm animals.

Speaking to mediapersons, Bopanna said: “I have read a lot about cock fights, buffalo races and other such fights involving birds and animals, though I have not witnessed them. I am against such sports that involve cruelty to animals. Animals should not be used for entertaining human beings. There are several games or sports through which one can derive pleasure,” he added. Currently in the 17th position in the World Doubles Ranking, Bopanna said he was associated with PETA for 15 years and was keen on working for the cause of animals.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had ruled against cruelty to animals in sports and had warned that people engaged in animal and bird care should not incite animals or birds to fight against their kind and also against humans.

Termed illegal
Cock fights have been termed illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. It was practised in parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra and other states, said a PETA official. Roosters raised for fights are often confined to cramped cages and are tormented during the training.

Razor-sharp spurs are attached to the bird’s feet to make the fights gory. The birds suffer from broken wings, legs, punctured lungs, severed spinal cords and gouged-out eyes and those roosters that survive the fights, are forced to fight again.