Rooster fitted with a knife for illegal cockfight kills owner after slashing his groin in India

The bird had a knife attached to its leg ready to take on an opponent when it inflicted serious injuries to his owner as it tried to escape.

The victim died from loss of blood before he could reach a hospital.

"The animal was being prepared to take part in a fight when it tried to escape. Its owner attempted to catch it but was struck by the 7cm-long (three inch) knife on the bird's leg during the struggle," said police.

The man was among 16 people organizing the cockfight in the village of Lothunur.

"We are searching for the other 15 people involved in organizing the illegal fight," added police.

The local police further stated that the people involved in hosting the cockfight could face charges of manslaughter and illegal betting.

The rooster was briefly held at the local police station before it was sent to a poultry farm.

Moreover, cockfights are banned in India but still common in rural areas of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha.