Madras HC issues notice on PIL against cockfights

The Madras High Court today issued notice to the DGP and Animal Welfare Board on a PIL seeking to ban cockfights in the state.
The First Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh directed the Director General of Police and the Board to submit reply within two weeks.
The petitioner, E Seshan, who was a wildlife photographer, submitted that in Tamil Nadu, cockfights are conducted in several districts with daggers amd blades tied to the legs of the birds causing severe injuries or death of the birds.
On some occasions poison is also laced in the blades and daggers, he said.

He contended that in the southern districts, sheep and goat fighting is conducted which also results in serious injury to the participating animals.
Cruelty against animals and birds is classified as an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act and these fights were conducted ignoring the law, he said, adding the authorities had failed to implement and enforce the statutory prohibition.
He sought a direction to the authorities concerned not to permit any form of animal fighting.