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Afghan Dogfighting Resurges
Thousands flock to weekly events
By Mary Papenfuss
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Posted Dec 28, 08 6:06 AM CST
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(Newser)
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Dogfighting in Afghanistan is experiencing a major resurgence since the fall of the Taliban, with weekly fights in many communities and purses as high as $50,000, reports the New York Times. The Taliban banned the practice as un-Islamic, but the fights are now as popular as ever. Twice weekly matches in the capital of Kabul draw thousands of spectators, all male.
“The interest of the people is increasing day by day,” said one spectator. “Even if people are starving, they’ll still keep dogfighting.” Dogs are often pulled apart once a victor is determined before one can seriously injure the other. Fans vowed the event will never die. "It's something from our ancestors," said an owner of a group of fighting dogs.