A New Level of Love

by Hope Bohanec, author of The Humane Hoax

As a long-time vegan and animal advocate, I’ve always respected chickens’ lives. However, I had never lived with a chicken until the day I rescued Kukkuta. A friend called me in a panic about an injured rooster around a shopping area in Cotati, California. He was part of a group of chickens living in the tall grass around the parking lots. The population was growing as more people were abandoning unwanted roosters and hens due to the recent trend of backyard chicken keeping, which often has good intentions but cruel consequences. 

I drove there and found a small rooster lying motionless on the ground in the middle of a parking space with blood splattered around him on the pavement. Blood splattered around him on the pavement. Another rooster paced triumphantly back and forth, hovering over him on the curb. I shooed away the tormenter and examined the poor guy. He was frozen in shock. His face, head, neck, and comb were covered in murky blood and his left eye was swollen shut. It was Easter weekend and there was no one to call, so I ended up with a rooster in my car. I knew he would be my responsibility. His life was now in my hands. 

For seven days he didn’t move. The poor soul was so traumatized. Every morning I ran to check on him, so afraid that he might have died during the night. We named him Kukkuta (rooster in Sanskrit).

Slowly the swelling of Kukkuta’s eye subsided. On the seventh day of being a guest in our home, he stood up and started drinking some water. We were thrilled! He dunked his head under the water, washing the crusted blood from his face and comb. The following morning, we heard him crow for the first time, and it was a joyful sound! A robust celebration of life! He recovered quickly and was a perfect gentleman, never pecking or protesting when I reached for him. He was a gentle soul. 

I had a strong vegan ethic before, but now more than ever I can’t fathom anyone intentionally killing a sentient individual like Kukkuta. He awaked a new and profound level of love. Everything in me wanted to protect him and preserve his life. This is an experience I wish for everyone, for you can never again think of harming an animal after knowing this kind of love. I will never forget my dear friend Kukkuta.

You can read the entire story of Hope and Kukkuta in The Humane Hoax.