SOURCE: rappler.com
Illegal, cruel horse-fighting in Mindanao alive and kicking
by Pia Ranada
Despite national and local laws, horse fight organizers are finding ways to hold their profitable derbies outside the gaze of authorities

‘ENTERTAINMENT.’ An enthusiastic crowd watches as two horses fight during a derby held from May 15-17, 2014 in Digos City, Davao del Sur. Photo by Network for Animals Philippines
MANILA, Philippines – “Bratatatatatatat!” blares a commentator as two white male horses fight to the death in the village of Dawis, Digos City, Davao del Sur.
Their flanks, tense with the threat of violence, are matted with blood and dirt. After biting his adversary on the neck, one horse paws the ground like a bull.
The crowd goes wild and unseen whistles screech in ecstasy. The children, watching from nearby tree branches, cheer along with their elders, making private bets among themselves.
Recorded in video by animal rights group Network for Animals (NFA), the horse-fighting derby allegedly took place on May 16, 2014.
It is one of dozens of horse-fighting events that take place in Mindanao provinces every year.
This is in violation of Republic Act No 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 which prohibits horse fights and the maltreatment of horses. Anyone engaged in horse-fighting can be imprisoned for 6 months to 2 years and fined P30,000 to P100,000 ($676-$2,200), depending on whether or not the horse dies.
In a horse fight, two male horses are put in a ring with a mare in heat. The stallions are goaded to mate with the mare and then restrained in order to induce aggressive behavior.
Once violent enough, they are released so they can fight over the mare.
The cruel practice, which leaves hundreds of horses dying or severely injured, has been going on in the region since the 1980s, according to NFA Philippines.
Aggressive campaigning has led two governors – Jose Zubiri of Bukidnon and Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza of North Cotabato – to ban horse-fighting events in 2014.
But insiders say those who make big bucks from horse-fighting have changed tactics to avoid the law.
Read the rest of this story HERE.
Categories: Horse News







There is no end to the ways of man cruelty to animals, my only wish is they return in the next life as one that will suffer the same fate as those they now cause great suffering. Greed has no compassion, no Heart and no feelings for Gods creatures, but God will have feelings for those who cause their suffering.
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There’s no words; just when you think you’ve seen everything something more horrible comes along. Take your children to see animals maul each other at a humans direction? We are definitely NOT the superior specie.
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There’s no words; just when you think you’ve seen everything something more horrible comes along. Take your children to see animals maul each other at a humans direction? We are definitely NOT the superior specie.
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“Well” maybe some day!!
https://www.thedodo.com/community/Georgin/supporting-positive-ethical-choices-using-animal-welfare-science-1087764224.html
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Is there not limit to the boredom of humans and the ways they find to brutalize animals for their entertainment?
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They will land in hell where they belong, what kind of people do these things? Its too dark to try an analyze this????
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After seeing kill buyers treat horses like garbage poking jalepeno’s in their eyes….hauling horses sick and injured with absolutely NO mercy from kill pen to feedlot and anywhere else they can drag em. Seeing a puntilla knife plunged into innocent horses. The horses alive while cut apart aware of the pain and brutal sawing terrified and helpless. NMLB massacre wild horses…the blm… the trailers overturned. Horses shot dead and beheaded that people loved. Stolen horses. Horses set on fire in Florida for meat. Horses dying…stragulated by trainers. Italy with its street racing brutally killing horses. Rings of fire. Starvation. Horses dragged on their sides in Mexico….horse tripping. Horses. Every single horrifying thing people do doesnt numb you….it makes you think the world has gone crazy!
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You know something Coltswesternshop the world has gone crazy. From stuffing bears into small cages to collect bear bile to what your seeing in the Philippines with the horses to the beheadings in the Middle East to a naive president that thinks he can make a friend of Iran. And things are going to get a lot worse as time goes on.
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And you let your KIDS come and watch too? De sensitising and carrying on this cruel practice much? Pathetic excuses for “humans”.
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L’humain marche sur la tete…!!! Il serait temps qu’il prenne conscience de sa betise..!!!
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