Hyderabad, January 12: Humane World for Animals India, an animal welfare organization, has called on citizens to refrain from participating in cockfighting, an illegal practice that often takes place during Makar Sankranti celebrations.

The NGO has urged the public to report any instances of cockfighting to local authorities. This brutal event typically involves two roosters, equipped with razor blades on their spurs, being forced to fight to the death, with one or both birds often dying in the process.

Despite being outlawed in several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Odisha, cockfighting still occurs in some regions. The practice is prohibited under various laws, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which criminalizes the incitement of animal fights (Section 11(1)(m)(ii)) and the organization or facilitation of such events (Section 11(1)(n)).

Cockfights are also linked to other illegal activities such as gambling, illicit liquor sales, and child labor.

A cruelty response specialist at Humane World for Animals India condemned the practice: “It's horrifying that this still happens. No festival or celebration can justify such cruelty. The birds are terrified and bloodied, struggling for their lives. This isn’t entertainment — it’s deliberate cruelty, driven by gambling and amusement.”

The organization stresses that every citizen has a responsibility to oppose this practice, not participate in it, and report those involved to authorities.