A rooster fitted with a knife for an illegal cockfight has killed its owner in Telangana, sparking a manhunt for the organisers of the event, police said Saturday.
The bird had a knife attached to its leg ready to take on an opponent when it inflicted serious injuries to the man's groin as it tried to escape, officers said.
The victim died from loss of blood before he could reach a hospital in the Karimnagar district of Telangana earlier this week, local police officer B Jeevan told AFP.
The man was among 16 people organising the cockfight in Lothunur when the freak accident took place, Jeevan said.
The rooster was briefly held at the local police station before it was sent to a poultry farm.
"We are searching for the other 15 people involved in organising the illegal fight," Jeevan said.
They could face charges of manslaughter, illegal betting and hosting a cockfight.
Cockfights are banned but still common in rural areas of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha-- particularly around the festival of Sankranti.
Specially-bred roosters have 7.5-centimetre (three-inch) knives or blades tethered to their legs and punters bet on who will win the gruesome fight.
Thousands of roosters die each year in the battles which, despite the efforts of animal rights groups, attract large crowds.
Corruption Case Filed Against KTR Over Hyderabad Formula E Race Issue "If You Have Courage": KTR's Open Letter To Revanth Reddy On Formula E Row Opinion: Opinion | Revanth Reddy Has Shot Himself In The Foot With Allu Arjun Case Parents On Mumbai Ferry Wanted To Toss Children In Sea. Rescuers Stopped Them Man Accidentally Drops iPhone In Temple Box. Why He Won't Get It Back On Camera, Car Flips 8 Times, But No One Hurt. They Then Ask For 'Tea' What Was Christmas Market Attack Suspect's Possible Motive? Officer Says... GST Council Exempts Gene Therapy, Cuts Tax Rate For Rice Kernels Eknath Shinde Gets 3 Maharashtra Ministries, But Not Home Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.