10 Most Cruel Sports Involving Animals

The definition of sport, among other things, is some sort of amusement or a diversion. It is appalling that civilized societies the world over get their kicks by brutalizing animals in so many different ways – all for their own amusement and entertainment? Over time, man has devised many different ways to use animals for his ‘time pass’; we look at some of the most egregious of them:

1. Bullfighting

bull-fightingThis blood sport has probably been the subject matter of more protests from animal rights groups than any other. Thankfully, however the protests have had their effect and we are seeing less and less of this needlessly cruel activity is.

2. Cockfighting

cock-fightStill very much prevalent in many parts of the world, the cocks are bred in dreadful conditions and mistreated to make them bad tempered. They are also starved to make them even meaner before a fight.

3. Dog Fighting

dog-fightSimilar to cock-fighting, here as well, the animals are mistreated to the extent that even a gentle natured animal turns mean and ferocious.

4. Circus

circus-elephantCircuses create unnatural captive environments for animals that are then made to perform strange acts contrary to their own volition. Whips, rods, hooks and even electric prods are used in the process of training.

5. Hare Coursing

hare-coursingThankfully this ‘sport’ is almost completely outlawed. It involves dogs chasing hares. Surely if one enjoys watching animals chasing one another, they can watch the Discovery Channel!

6. Fox Hunting

fox-huntingIn England this consists of chasing down and actually killing the hapless fox, and elsewhere, it merely drives the terrified animal underground to its hole. The ‘pleasure’ is apparently in the chase.

7. Bear Shows

bear-showBears in captivity were trained to fight, dance; ride bicycles and put on other types of entertainment for people. Then there is Bear Baiting or Bear Baying (trained dogs are released on a chained bear) another ingenious form of animal torture.

8. Animal Racing

horse-racingOne could argue that racing is not cruel and the animals are kept in relative comfort. However, greyhounds and race horses who outlive their utility may be destined for some very grim fate: killed, sold to a slaughter house or donated for animal experiments.

9. Rodeo Riding

rodeo-ridingThis is still prevalent though several regulations in the interests of preventing animal cruelty are now in place.

10. Orangutan Boxing

orangutan-boxingThis bizarre form of entertainment is prevalent in Thailand, which actually puts the apes in a boxing ring with gloves on.

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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

Michael W March 14, 2014

The information on cockfighting is completely wrong. Game fowl are born fighting. They are treated better than any other chicken period. They are housed in larger pens and fed better diets because of their wild nature and the need to keep them in peak health because after all the healthiest and
strongest fowl win. Most live longer lives than ever other breed of fowl also. They are not of fighting age til 1-2 years old and if they win they live til they die of old age. Most jungle fowl and wild type chickens do not have a pecking order in the wild. Its all or nothing with them. They fight til only one survives. Its in their genes. It is natures way of producing a stronger healthier fowl. People involved in breeding the fowl and continueing the lineage and heritage use cockfighting as a means of harvest so they know they are breeding healthy wild fowl like they would appear in the wild


Adrian P March 27, 2014

I agree with Michael W . the only information on the Cockfighting section that is true is that “Still very much prevalent in many parts of the world” . the rest is not even exaggerated , the rest of the information is Completely wrong , with a malicious attempt to criminalize good people .No Cockfighter I know abuses any of its animals , all are extremely well nourished , health is checked on a daily basis , exercises to prevent obesity and all health issues that are involved with inactivity and Game-Roosters are never force to fight . This section on Cockfighting is prejudice and I dare say boarding line Hate Talk against the people of other countries !!!


Aslam Farooqui September 25, 2015

what about the cock that dies in the fight? And also what about the sharp knives attached to their legs to cause injury to the opponent cock? you know it cuts and hurts the innocent animal and often they bleed to death what kind of game is this. PLEASE STOP THE COCKFIGHT….if you don’t understand put yourself in place of the innocent cock with sharp knives in your hand and fight with other man with sharp knives in their hand and fight until one of you dies.


Mary March 7, 2017

Meat is an essential source of minerals


Mary March 7, 2017

Chicks and eggs aren’t the same
Cows need to be milked


Jerry November 16, 2017

I think your mother as a living being should put to be milked till the last drop. It is no difference as you describe them…


Dr Loden Rogers May 21, 2018

Meat is an important source of minerals.


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