Interview Times 
Four roosters had to spend more than two days in police custody in Balasore district after being rescued from a cockfight competition. Simulia police officers who seized the poultry birds had to not only feed them but also care for them while they were in custody.
On December 25, the roosters were rescued from a competition held in Manjaripur village, Muruna gramme panchayat, Simulia. Cockfighting is illegal because it involves animal cruelty and is a blood sport that thrives on betting.
Simulia Police was keeping an eye on the betting activities that begin this time of year and last until the middle of January. Plainclothes police officers were stationed at the competition site and acted immediately when the games began.
Because the case was filed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, police were required to transport the male poultry birds to Simulia Veterinary Hospital for a health check. Once the birds’ condition was determined to be normal, the birds were returned to their owners, who also agreed in writing not to participate in such competitions in the future, according to Simulia police station Inspector-in-Charge Jayanta Behera. The police appear to have spent more than Rs 5,000 on the birds’ food and medical care.
