What is cock fighting?
Cock fighting is a cruel blood sport that continues almost 200 years after it was made illegal. The cockerels, known as game birds, are specifically bred and conditioned for increased stamina and strength for fighting. They possess congenital aggression towards all males of the same species. The birds are trained using practice birds. During training, muffs are often used to cover their sharp claws or spurs.
They are placed in a fighting ring known as a cockpit and left to fight each other until one of the birds dies or is critically injured. Some cock fighters are known to attach sharp spurs or blades to the feet of the birds in order to inflict more severe damage to the opposing cockerel.
Section 8 of the Animal Welfare Act Section relates specifically to Animal Fighting, making it unlawful to have possession of any instrument or appliance designed or adapted for use in connection with the fighting of a domestic fowl.
Why does cock fighting still take place today?
Cock fighting remains a popular sport amongst certain groups, having been passed down from generation to generation as part of their culture.
It's believed the main reason for this cruel sport is monetary gain. It's expected that bets would be placed on the game birds as spectators and owners determine the fate of the birds.
Cock fighting related violence and other associated crimes, such as serious and organised crime and money laundering are not uncommon.
Scale and prevalence in the UK
Cock fighting has become more evident in recent years in Britain though, as with dog fighting, it is often hard to detect.
Our supporter-funded Animal Crimewatch Team continue to receive intelligence indicating that cock fighting continues to be prevalent in the UK; particularly in the north of England.
What to look out for
Cockerels used for fighting will be kept in separate pens.
There would often be signs of unusual activity at a location where numerous people and vehicles arrive and the sound of cockerels and/or loud, excitable voices can be heard.
Our research suggests that locations for cock fights in the UK include:
- Garden sheds
- Traveller sites
- Waste ground
- Rural farms
- People’s private homes
Animal Crimewatch
Cock fighting is extremely challenging due to the secret and dangerous world in which they operate. However, it remains a priority for the League in bringing an end to this cruel sport.
Our confidential Animal Crimewatch service is at the forefront of our work. We receive reports of suspected cock fighters from members of the public; whether these are concerns from neighbourhood communities or identifying suspicious social media profiles, it all helps us to build the bigger picture and initiate investigations.
Our plan to end cock fighting
Through our investigations and wider campaign effort we want to end cock fighting. We will achieve this by:
Continuing to campaign for changes in legislation and crime recording to ensure cock fighting is taken seriously by law enforcement as a crime in the UK.
These include:
- A stronger legislative framework to tackle cock fighting, which treats it as a distinct crime, attracting heavier penalties
- Consistency in animal abusers receiving appropriate disqualification orders
- Introduction of offences relating to video recordings of animal fighting
- Police and law enforcement agencies to do all they can to tackle cock fighting
Further information can be found on our website within our Cock Fighting Useful Information leaflet.
Help us end cock fighting
YOU can help us to bring about an end to the cruel sport of cock fighting and also receive a reward of up to £1,000 for providing us with information that subsequently leads to the arrest and conviction of a cock fighter(s).
You can help us:
- Report any evidence you have of cock fighting in your area to our Animal Crimewatch team – this is a confidential service.
- Share this page on your social media.
