Canary Fighting Ring Introduces Shelton, Conn., to New Blood Sport

Canary fighting is the new blood sport in Shelton, Conn. Aficionados range in age from 26 to 62, and it is more widespread than you think.

Canary Fighting Blood Sport in Shelton
Channel 8 News raised more than a few eyebrows when it reported on a Shelton canary fighting ring that caused 150 birds to be placed into protective custody and thrust 19 suspects with their first and last names into the public eye. This blood sport was so popular that it actually attracted audiences from Boston and New Jersey. It is alleged that attendees would gamble on the outcome of the canary fights, put down their money, and then place two birds in a cage to see which would emerge the victor.

The Appeal of Blood Sports
It might appear odd to have a number of grown men (and presumably women) sit around a songbird cage and watch canary fighting, but the fact that it is just another blood sport should give you pause. Perhaps the most famous of blood sport involving birds is cockfighting, which involves two roosters being placed in a cockpit and then encouraged to fight until one is killed or severely injured.

Of course, the biggest appeal is most likely the gambling aspect. The Humane Society of the United States publishes a cockfighting fact sheet, which suggests that thousands of dollars in gambling money changes hands routinely during one fight. Moreover, there is also the implication that homicides are connected to cockfighting, as well as illicit drugs.

Other Blood Sports in the News
The currently busted canary fighting ring may cause some smirks, but blood sports are part and parcel of the human gambling landscape. Although cockfighting is illegal in the United States, other countries have different mores when it comes to watching animals fight for entertainment and fiscal gain.

10 years ago BBC News reported on spider fighting in the Philippines, which attracted mostly children but also some adults. Teachers felt that kids were spending too much time training and watching their spiders fight one another, not enough time hitting the books, and as such spider wrestling got a bad reputation.

Across the globe, Spain still is ground zero for bullfighting. In simplest terms, an arena filled with spectators is regaled with the slow death of a bull at the hand of toreros, who receive accolades from their fans. Proponents of bullfighting suggest that it is a practice of cultural importance, while opponents see it as little more than the ritual killing of an animal that has been going on for too long.

It is uncertain which charges will actually be made to stick against the canary fighting ring in Shelton. What begs the question, however, is if you would enjoy placing bets on the demise of a songbird (or rooster, spider, or bull). Why?

Sources
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/crime/news_wtnh_shelton_police_bust_canary_fighting_operation_200907270720; http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/animal_fighting_the_final_round/cockfighting_fact_sheet/; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/142496.stm; http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-californiabullfighting29jul29