Buffalo fighting resumes in Vietnam despite concerns over safety following death of owner
In accordance with tradition, all losing buffaloes were slaughtered right after the end of the tournament
Vietnam’s annual water buffalo fighting festival resumed on Thursday despite calls for an end to the traditional event because of its violence.
The tournament was halted temporarily three months ago after a buffalo killed its owner on the fighting field. It was the first human fatality, although buffaloes have died in fights before.
More safety measures, including reinforced fences and tests of buffaloes for stimulants, have been put in place since then.
On Thursday, about 20,000 people crowded the stadium in the resort town of Do Son in Hai Phong to watch the finals, in which 16 buffaloes were pitted against each other.
“I’m really happy and proud,” said Luu Dinh Toi, whose buffalo was the winner.
Toi’s buffaloes have participated in many festivals, but this was the first time one was the winner.