It's been banned since 1835 - but cockfighting continues, and it's on the increase

Animal welfare officers are alarmed at a rise in the barbaric bloodsport of cockfightitng.

The RSPCA has said that there were 60 recorded incidents or calls reporting the illegal practice. In 2012, there were 45 calls made.

Cockfighting – which has been illegal since 1835 – sees owners pit cockerels against each other in brutal battles to the death.

Some of the fights are over in seconds, and blades can be added to the feet of the birds to maximise damage.

Mike Butcher, RSPCA chief inspector, said that the practice was growing among certain groups.

He said: “The area with a growing number of incidents seems to be within the British-born Pakistani communities, it seems to be something growing among some groups in that community.

“I have no idea why that is but it is an activity that goes on in Pakistan, where it is not policed, and that seems to be reflected over here too, where it is policed.”

There has been a steady increase in cockfighting incidents over the past four years, however the fights have never gone away.

Butcher added: “It has never gone away, there are peaks and troughs with dogfighting, but cockfighting is ingrained in cultures and families.

“Some groups within the travelling community can also be very much involved in cockfighting, they use imported Japanese birds and there’s also a more country rural style, but that’s dying off now.”