Despite being outlawed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, cockfighting is legal in Puerto Rico, where the government considers it to be a “gentleman’s sport.”

By Kassandra Lau
Latino Reporter

Inside a brightly lit arena, excitement, aggression and anticipation are thick in the air.

The crowd cheers as caged warriors are lowered into the center of the ring, armed with sharp sickles fastened to their legs. These modern-day gladiators are prepared to battle to the death.

Blood will be shed tonight. A cockfight is about to begin.

For the trainers and audiences, cockfighting is an honored sport, a financial staple and a cultural right. In Puerto Rico, which legalized cockfighting in 1933, it is referred to by the government as a “gentlemen’s sport.”

It is also legal in the Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.

But cockfighting is illegal in all 50 U.S. states and is considered a felony in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

Critics of cockfighting, such as the Humane Society of the United States, say cockfighting is cruel to animals.

Club Gallistico, a popular cockfighting franchise, has many locations throughout Puerto Rico. In San Juan, events are held every Thursday and Saturday evening.

Erik Colón, who owns more than 100 gamecocks and is well-known for his participation in the sport, had two birds scheduled to fight Thursday night.

“I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I just cockfight. It’s what I do,” said Colón, a former Miami police officer. “A person that actually cockfights is a person that is in touch with their culture.”

Gamecock owners take their training seriously because success in the ring brings in cash from various bets made before and during the match.

“I’ve been fighting cocks for a long time. I actually inherited it from my grandfather,” said Colón, who owns a ranch where he trains and breeds his own gamecocks with his 15-year-old son.

Rules and regulations for legalized cockfighting in Puerto Rico are stringent. Officials keep a close eye on any potential cheating. The sharp plastic spurs that are fitted on their ankles must also meet certain specifications.

A referee called a “juez de valla” has the only say about the outcome of a fight. For a gamecock to win, his opponent must flee, be unable to stand for one minute or be killed. If both competitors are still fighting after 15 minutes, the match is declared a tie.

Some birds are able to fight again; if not, then they can be used for breeding. If a bird’s wounds are too serious, they are left for dead, winner or not.

“The fact is, the reason they are bred and pampered is for this moment, the moment of the fight,” Colón said.

Survivors go home with their owners. The dead and dying are left behind in a trash bin.

Share this post