Illegal Cockfight Foiled in Sindhudurg After PETA India Complaint

The event was reportedly set to take place in Kudal, Sindhudurg, and came to light after promotional posters began circulating in the area. Acting on this information, PETA India alerted the Sindhudurg Police, who moved quickly to prevent the fight from taking place. Their timely action resulted in the cancellation of the event before it could begin.

Following the operation, the Kudal Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against eight individuals. They have been booked under Section 12(c) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887, and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for aiding and abetting the illegal activity.

Cockfighting, a blood sport in which roosters are forced to fight — often fitted with sharp blades or metal spurs — is banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibits inciting animals to fight for entertainment. The practice is known for its extreme brutality: birds suffer punctured lungs, broken bones, and severe eye injuries, and the attached weapons have caused serious harm to both animals and spectators.

Beyond its cruelty, cockfighting poses broader public health and social risks. Such events are often linked to illegal gambling, alcohol consumption, and violence, and have also been associated with the spread of bird flu in some regions.

In a landmark 2014 ruling, the Supreme Court of India upheld a petition by PETA India and the Animal Welfare Board of India, confirming that all forms of staged animal fighting — including bullfighting, dogfighting, and cockfighting — are illegal and must be discontinued.

PETA India has commended the Sindhudurg Police, particularly Superintendent of Police Dr. Mohan Dahikar, for their decisive action and reaffirmation that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated. The organization urged continued vigilance to ensure that such violent spectacles are eradicated across the country.