A boy died after being slashed by his father's fighting cockerel, which had curved blades strapped to its feet, according to a media report today.

The cockerel ripped open the 12-year-old boy's thigh as he watched a match in a remote rural district of Nabawan in Sabah, said the Star .

Henrysius, son of villager Tungkaling Ratu, bled profusely and died o­n the way to hospital.

Villagers said the special "buang pantang" (getting rid of taboos) cockfight was held to mark the seventh day after the death of a local personality.

Children had been warned to keep away from the fighting ring, but o­nce the bout began they edged closer, and the bird suddenly flew at the boy, they said. - AFP