Written and photographed By Bill Bell
Warning! The following story and photographs may be offensive to some people!
Cock fighting, a Mexican tradition steeped in history and culture? Or, the cruel and inhumane treatment of animals that usually fight to the death for the pleasure of the crowd?
The crowd is friendly and welcoming to American and Canadian visitors and while photographs are allowed, flash is strictly prohibited as it is believed that the cocks may be blinded by the bright light.
The cocks are conditioned, much like professional athletes prior to events or shows. Wagers are often made on the outcome of the match. While not all fights are to the death, the cocks may endure significant physical trauma, including broken legs, wings and severe cuts. Many fights end with a broken neck or immobilization due to loss of blood. Then, when finished, the still twitching corpses of once beautiful birds are thrown into a heap beside the arena.
This cock fight is taking place in a small Mexican community of Puerto de la Lima about 120 kilometers north of Puerto Vallarta. This event is filled with local Mexicans that I admire and are friends of mine. They are respected people in the community where I reside and when I ask what draws them to the cock fight, there is no reply, only a stare of bewilderment that comes when a person asks a stupid question.
Cockfighting is considered a blood sport by animal welfare and animal rights activists and others, due in some part to the physical trauma the cocks inflict on each other. Advocates of the sport often list cultural and religious relevance as reasons for perpetuation of cockfighting as a sport
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