A retired wildlife photographer has filed a public interest litigation petition in the Madras High Court stating that though conducting animal fights is prohibited under law, the authorities have failed to enforce the ban. He has sought a direction to the State and the Central Governments not to grant permission for holding such shows.
On Friday, the First Bench comprising the Acting Chief Justice, Satish K. Agnihotri and Justice M. M. Sundresh ordered notice to the Union and the Tamil Nadu Government returnable by two weeks.
In the petition, filed through counsel R. Srinivas, the petitioner, E.Seshan of Oggiam-Thoraipakkam said he had worked as a wildlife photographer in the Zoological Survey of India for 36 years. After retirement, he had taken up the work of conserving wildlife, nature and environment. He said cockfights were being conducted in several districts of Tamil Nadu. At times, the shows were organised using unarmed birds.
In certain other cases, special breeds of roosters with small knives/blades tied to their legs were allowed to compete. In both categories, serious injury or death is caused to the birds. Some of them were intoxicated and drugged. It was not uncommon to use poisoned blades/knives to kill the opponent faster. On some occasions, the blades caused human casualties.
In the southern districts, especially in Madurai, fights between sheep were being organised. This caused serious injuries to the animals.
Such shows were banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Despite this, the organisers managed to get permission and also police protection.
