The Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) has expressed outrage with the number of cockfighting competitions which continue to be a trend in villages throughout Guyana.
The crowd at the Port Mourant Turf Club earlier this month during a cockfighting competition
The GSPCA stated that this inhumane act of cockfighting takes place regularly on Sundays at the Port Mourant Race Course, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The Society stated that like dogfighting, which is another despicable “sport,” cockfighting is also brutal and senseless. It should be no surprise that the people who participate in these atrocious acts exhibit the same characteristics.
“There is a well-documented link between the barbaric acts of cockfighting and dogfighting and other crimes and violence. As Guyanese, we need to safeguard the moral fibre of our society by reporting these acts to authorities when witnessed,” the GSPCA stated.
The Society commended the Guyana Police Force for fulfilling its legal obligation to quash these illegal activities and arrest the perpetrators. Under Guyana’s laws, cockfighting and dogfighting are both illegal, and those found guilty of participating in these activities face a fine and imprisonment of six (6) months.
When contacted about the regular cockfighting competitions at Port Mourant, Regional Commander of East Berbice-Corentyne, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus stated that he is not aware of this and, as such, refused to offer a comment on any matter relating to these competitions.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, five persons were arrested and subsequently placed on $5000 bail each after they allegedly hosted a “cockfight” in contradiction to the COVID-19 guidelines in place to curb the spread of the disease at Port Mourant Race Course.
Further, in April of this year, a group of men was attacked and robbed of their cash and other valuables by three armed men at Water Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, during a cockfight.
In January 2017, Desmond Singh called “David” and “Fix Up,” 34, a poultry vendor of Lot A-1 Orange Walk, Bourda, and Azrudeen Hussain, 24, a cattle farmer and final-year pharmacy student at the University of Guyana, who resided at Baiboo, Mahaicony Creek, were shot shortly after leaving an illegal cockfighting competition at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Two persons were arrested for questioning but were released on station bail.
Although the sport is illegal, there is not much being done by the lawmen to put an end to it. In most cases, only residents and followers of the game would know where the events are held.
The GSPCA is calling on all Guyanese to contact them on telephone numbers 226-4237 or the nearest police station when these events are occurring.
