Deadly dog duel contest against wild boar in Majalaya, West Java, which became the spotlight of foreign media. Photo / REUTERS / Beawiharta Beawiharta
JAKARTA - A number of foreign media highlights tournament dog fighting with wild boar to death in Majalaya, West Java. Deadly duel contest known as "cockfighting" is claimed to preserve the tradition of hunting.
This deadly animal contest became a spectacle of hundreds of villagers who thronged the stands. The dogs pitted with wild boar are pet dogs.
The tradition began in the 1960s when the wild boar population soared and threatened to destroy the crops. The farmers then hunt and kill a herd of wild boars before finally emerging the "cockfighting" tradition with alluring gifts.
Participants or dog owners who pitted told Reuters that the duel was a way to preserve the tradition of hunting. In addition to the media of the United States, some Asian and British media also review it. Some of them, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail and The Independent.
"It used to be very simple, unlike now when dogs are trained, from there it has gone down and even become part of tradition and culture," said Nur Hadi, head of the local hunting group.
Breeders can earn prizes of up to Rp27 million if their dogs come out as champions. Locals say that wild pigs are used to test the dexterity and hunting skills of a fierce dog.
If a wild boar is lucky enough to survive in a duel, then the animal will again be pitted against another contest. However, if dead, the animal will be slaughtered and sold its meat.
Animal rights advocate has criticized this death contest. "This is a criminal act against animals," said Indonesian activist Marison Guciano.
"The government and NGOs have to go to the field to stop this event and educate people that dog fighting is not justified," he said.
Dog breeder Agus Badud defends the practice. According to him, the event is making money for the community.
"I took part in this contest to increase the selling price and the economic value of my dog, and it is no use for me as a rancher if I do not participate in a contest like this," said the man who has 40 dogs in his house.
(mas)
Source: SINDONEWS.com