Bullfighting: The Facts *STOP Bull Fighting*

Bullfighting: The Facts
It is hard to believe that in this so-called civilized age, a most vicious and cruel spectacle of blood continues to flourish in Spain and certain other countries. Bullfighting is barbaric and should have been banned long ago, as bear-baiting was.
Bullfighting in the Casino Culture
Even in the gambling – more specifically casino – culture, bullfighting has its own place. Casino aficionados in the United Kingdom are enticed by gambling operators to use the best casino welcome offers to play bullfighting-themed online slots and games. Some of the most popular examples are titles such as Wild Toro, Bullfight, Arena de Toros, Spanish Passion, Books and Bulls and so many more.
There is no denying that UK players have all the rights to enjoy the best casino bonuses to the fullest, but we are wondering if the offers would not be better used elsewhere, for example on a game of baccarat or blackjack. So if you care about our cause, heed our words – grab your casino bonus – as many of them as you want – but please consider investing it on games that are ethically more compatible with our stance on bullfighting.
Bullfighting: The Myth
How crowds of people will pay money and take pleasure in watching one lone creature – who has never done them any harm — getting hacked to death. How can anyone with an ounce of compassion, cheer, and chant olé as a banderilla or lance is thrust into the animal’s pain-racked body?
Bullfighting has a very glorified public image — it is presented as a contest between the brave matador, who boldly risks life and limb to tackle a mad and ferocious beast. The matador is always dressed in a traditional costume of brilliant colors: the bullfight is seen by many as the mysterious ritual between man and beast, which is an integral part of Spanish culture and custom. For this reason, many tourists who visit Spain feel that seeing a bullfight is a necessary part of their holiday, just as tourists visiting Britain go to see the Tower of London.
However, after witnessing the sheer horror of this sickening slaughter, only the most hardened and callous would consider a second visit to the bullring. The purpose of this booklet is to fully explain what the bull has to endure, both during his last hour of life in the ring, and also the other side of the bullfight not commonly known to the vast majority of people: the pre-bullfight treatment.
THE PRE-FIGHT TREATMENT
The bull is not an aggressive animal, and the reason he is angry and attempts to charge at the matador whilst in the bullring is mainly that he has been horrendously abused for the previous two days. In fact, what spectators see is not a normal, healthy bull, but a weakened, half-blinded, and mentally destroyed version, whose chances of harming his tormentors is virtually nil.
The bull has wet newspapers stuffed into his ears; vaseline is rubbed into his eyes to blur his vision; cotton is stuffed up his nostrils to cut off his respiration and a needle is stuck into his genitals. Also, a strong caustic solution is rubbed onto his legs which throws him off balance. This also keeps him from lying down on the ground. In addition to this, drugs are administered to pep him up or slow him down, and strong laxatives are added to his feed to further incapacitate him.
He is kept in a dark box for a couple of days before he faces the ring: the purpose of this is to disorientate him. When he is let out of the box, he runs desperately towards the light at the end of the tunnel. He thinks that at last his suffering is over and he is being set free — instead, he runs into the bullring to face his killers and a jeering mob.
THE “FIGHT”
Strictly speaking, a bullfight is composed of 3 separate “acts”, and the whole thing is supposed to last for 20 minutes, though in actual fact it varies. The opening of a bullfight begins with a tune being played on a trumpet — the tune is the special, signa lure Rifle which characterizes the beginning of the horror. Upon entering the ring, bulls have been known to collapse through exhaustion alter their pre-fight ordeal — they have been dragged to their feet by the bullfighter’s assistants.
The Picadors
The sequence of events begins when the bull faces the picadors — these are the men on horseback, whose purpose it is to exhaust the bull. They cut into his neck muscles with a pica. This is a weapon about 6-8 inches long, and 2 inches thick. Once it is thrust into the bull it is twisted round and a large, gaping wound appears. The bull then starts bleeding to death.
The Assistant Matadors
After the picador has finished his sordid business, the assistant matadors then get to work with the banderillas (sharp, harpoon-like barbed instruments). These are plunged into the bull’s body, and he may also be taunted by capes. Up to six banderillas may be used. When the banderillas strike the bull stops in his tracks and bellows madly.
The Kill
A trumpet signals the final “act” — in fact, during the whole nightmare, strange, slow tunes are played throughout. It is, of course, during the final act that the bull is killed (and hopefully goes onto a better life). The kill should last 6 minutes and is done by the main matador. If he has any difficulties (which is an extremely rare occurrence), the others immediately rush into his aid and finish off the bull.
THE FINAL DEGRADATION
The matador is supposed to sever the artery near the heart with one thrust of the sword — in fact, this never happens. It often takes 2-3 times before the creature is mercifully released by death. By this time, the bull’s lungs and heart will be punctured and he always vomits blood. Miraculously, he sometimes attempts to rise again and gets up on his knees, only to receive further mutilation at the hands of his tormentors.
He finally gives up, goes to his knees, and lies down. Even then, he is not allowed a little dignity to leave this world in peace, his ears and tail are cut off (often when he is fully conscious), and his broken, bleeding body is dragged around the ring by mules, to which he is attached by an apparatus made of wood and chains. Not content with his suffering, which must be too horrible to describe by words, the crowds boo and jeer him. They even throw empty beer cans at him. His body is then taken away to be skinned, and even then he may not be dead when this happens.
HORSES
The bull is not the only animal to suffer in the ring — hundreds of horses die long and agonizing deaths as they are gored by the pain-crazed bull. Horses have their ears stuffed with wet newspaper, they are blindfolded and their vocal cords are cut so they are unable to scream in pain. It is not an uncommon occurrence for horses to stumble upon their own entrails after being badly gored.
After a horse has been wounded it is led out of the ring, given crude surgery, and sent back in. Horses used in bullrings sweat and tremble from fear — they are forced to return to the ring time and time again. The picador’s horses are generally animals whose working life is over, and which are, therefore, old, infirm, and docile. Their reward for serving mankind faithfully is to end their days in the bullrings. They are kept in poor conditions between fights, arid, not surprisingly, their life expectancy is short.
ARGUMENTS IN DEFENCE OF BULLFIGHTING
“But it’s part of their culture’ is the argument commonly used to defend bullfighting, but this argument is also used to defend female circumcision (genital mutilation). It could also have been used to defend witch-burning, bear-baiting, and a multitude of other evils, “Culture” is not a magic word, and simply labeling something as such doesn’t make it right and above criticism. Also, the word “culture” suggests the enhancement and enrichment of people or a society, and watching animals being tortured to death doesn’t fall into this description.
Death“Get your own house in order” is another argument put forward, concerning our own bloodsports such as hunting and hare coursing. Well, there is no reason why we can’t support the Spanish Animal Rights movement as well as fighting animal abuse in our own country. An animal doesn’t regard itself as being Spanish when it is being tortured to death — rather it is a member of the anima[ kingdom being tortured to death by humans. The Animal Rights movement is a worldwide one and should not be restricted by boundaries.
As has been mentioned previously, bullrings are largely sustained by tourists who visit out of curiosity and a misguided belief that if they fail to visit this unique part of Spanish culture, their visit to Spain will not be complete.
The vast majority of tourists are appalled by what happens at a bullfight and leave after they see what happens to the first bull (three separate bulls are killed at bullfights, but spectators are not allowed to leave until the first one has ended).
However, the purchase of their ticket keeps the bullrings open.
Spain is a popular holiday destination for British tourists, so for this reason a campaign in this country to educate people about what really happens at bullfights is a necessary and vital step towards closing down the bullrings.
Frank Evans from Manchester who runs a bedroom and kitchen showroom in Eccles called “Ladyline” is a bullfighter who regularly travels to Spain to torture bulls to death. This is another reason why bullfighting is an issue for the British Animal Rights movement.
There are now serious moves to have bullfighting banned as Spain is a fairly recent member of the European Economic Community, and has been under severe pressure from campaigning Animal Rights groups.
However, the powerful lobby of bull breeders is intent on evading this. In 1989 33,000 bulls died the death previously described, and this means profit for the bull breeders.
A boycott of Spanish produce i.e. wine, sherry, fruit, and vegetables would help persuade the Spanish Government to outlaw bullfighting.
Also, a boycott of Spanish holidays would be an excellent form of economic pressure as Spain relies heavily on the tourist industry.
The Spanish Green Party has announced its intention to ban bullfighting if it were elected to Parliament.
In recent years, there has been a sustained press interest in the atrocities involved in bullfighting and fiestas involving animal abuse. This media focus has been not only in Britain but has caused worldwide concern. This has deeply embarrassed the Spanish Government who is under extreme pressure to change their laws. Also, it has made people, in general, more aware of the cruelties involved in bullfighting and the fiestas, and therefore less likely to visit bullrings.
It is only a matter of time before this abomination has ended, and bulls are allowed to live their lives in peace.
News
PETA Activists Fill Sky With Blood
Around 100 supporters of PETA and AnimaNaturalis gathered in the centre of Pamplona, Spain, ahead of the
Running of the Bulls.
Spanish
Matador Ivan Fandino Dies In Bullring In France
A matador has died after being gored in the chest by a bull, becoming the second Spanish bullfighter to die
in the bullring in the past year.
Spanish matador fighting for life in hospital after being gored three times in bullring
Pablo Belando was carried out of Madrid's world-famous Las Ventas bullring after being mauled in his chest,
leg and buttocks.
Petition for a Bullfighting Referendum
Petition on Change.org by Luis Quilis Cartagena, Spain calling for a referendum to decide whether to continue
this barbaric tradition.
Matador
Victor Barrio's bullring death reignites bullfighting debate
Barrio, a household name in Spain, died after being mauled by an 83-stone bull in the first bullring death
since 1987.
Men
accused of rape at Pamplona bull-running festival
All of the men come from Seville and were visiting Pamplona for the San Fermin festival which attracts
thousands of people from all over the world.
A bullfighter and a man participating in a village bull-run were killed in Spain on Saturday 9th July, while
another two men were gored by the animals at the world-famous festival in the town of Pamplona.
Gruesome
moment female matador holds severed ears of bull aloft
Lea Vicens, picador, held the severed ears of a bull to a cheering crowd at a bullfight during the Feria de
Nimes fighting festival in the south of France. Ms Vicens was in her home town at the five-day bullfighting
festival.
European Parliament Votes to End Subsidies for Bullfighting
On 28th Ocotober in the European Parliament, 438 out of 687 MEPs voted in favour of an amendment that would
stop over €100 million in EU agricultural subsidies from being used to raise bulls for bullfights.
Spanish bullfight called off after three matadors are injured
A bullfight in Madrid had to be called off after three matadors were seriously injured. The 12th fight of the
San Isidro festival was stopped after two bullfighters were gored and a third tossed into the air.
Flaming-horned bull gores man to death during Spanish festival
A flaming-horned bull trampled and fatally gored a man on Saturday during a festival in eastern Spain. Large
balls of flaming wax are traditionally affixed to the beasts' heads before they are let loose to rampage in
such festivals.
Matador gored to death at summer festival
A matador became the fourth Spaniard to die during a festival in three days when he was gored during a
bullfight. Miguel Ruiz Perez, 29, lost his balance during an exhibition involving athletes and bulls in
Navarra, Spain.
Activist Jumps into Bullfighting Ring to Comfort Dying Bull
In an extraordinary act of bravery, an animal rights activist jumped into the Malagueta bullfighting ring to
comfort a dying bull in Malaga, Spain. Virginia Ruiz was able to lay her body over the bull and shield him
before being hauled away.
R.I.P. Tony Moore
(Fight Against Animal Cruelty Campaigner)
On Friday 27th December 2013 Tony Moore, co-founder and chairman of Southport based animal rights charity
“Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe” (FAACE) died from lung cancer, aged 79.
Poem
about the matador Christian Montcouquiol
Christian Montcouquiol was a matador who hanged himself in 1991 after being paralysed by a bull. Read
more
Photo from
Enquirer Magazine
A terrified bull tried to jump over a six feet high fence in a vain attempt to escape his tormentors.
Álvaro Múnera -
Bullfighter who quit
Article taken from snopes.com about this photograph showing the collapse of Torrero Alvaro Munera, as he
realized in the middle of his last fight ... the injustice to the animal. From that day forward he became an
opponent of bullfights.
Spanish state
television drops bullfighting as too violent for children
Radiotelevision Espanola (RTVE) has pledged not to show bullfighting on its channels given that the evening
corridas usually occur during peak viewing times for children.
Bull Killed
After Jumping Into Spectators
Disturbing video was released on Wednesday after a bull jumped into the arena of the Tafalla bullring in
Spain and trampled spectators. The bull charged and tossed everything in his sight, leaving 40 people injured.
The Fleeing Bullfighter who saw Sense
Footage of Mexican bullfighter Christian Hernandez fleeing the ring last Sunday at the first sight of the
slaveringly piqued slab of beef in the opposite corner has become a global internet hit.
Catalonia Votes to Ban Bullfighting
Already faced with a rapidly ageing fanbase at home and widespread incomprehension and rejection abroad,
Spanish bullfighting has suffered another major setback after the Catalan parliament voted to outlaw it
completely across the region.
Man gored to death at running of the bulls in Pamplona
A charging bull gored a young Spanish man to death at Pamplona's San Fermin festival, the first such fatality
in nearly 15 years. Nine others were injured in a particularly dangerous and chaotic chapter of the running of
the bulls.
11 year old matador is victim of child abuse
A bullfight which featured an 11 year old matador has been described as "child abuse". Michelle Lagravere
tortured and killed 6 calves in Mexico on Saturday 24th January 2009, despite animal rights campaigners trying
to have the fight stopped.
Campaigns
UK: Stop Funding
Bullfights with Taxes - The Petition Site
Every year, £110 million of taxpayer money is given to Spanish farmers who use their pastures to raise
fighting bulls. Under the guise of "Common Agriculture Policy," these federal subsidies are the key support
that keeps the bullfighting industry from financial ruin. Rejecting bullfighting is about more than revenue:
it's about rejecting torture. Stop funding cruelty with our taxes. www.thepetitionsite.com
The Joy of Toro
The Joy of Toro (bull of fire) is a grotesque spectacle that draws protests and boycotts of tourism
worldwide. However, it remains Medinaceli occur annually in the province of Soria, Spain.
Visit.guide-spain.com promoting bullfighting
The website entitled visit.guide-spain.com shows various places of interest throughout Spain, such as
bullfighting events, the running of the bulls, churches, monasteries and cathedrals. They have requested
comments on these places for their Facebook page, so comments condemning bullfighting, the running of the
bulls and fiestas involving animal cruelty could be made. Also comments calling on the church to condemn these
atrocities could be made on the church, cathedral and monastery pages.
Tell UNESCO: Bullfighting isn't culture, it's cruelty
Petition to UNESCO, sponsored by Humane Society International, against France and Spain trying to protect
this cruel bloodsport by getting it listed as a form of "cultural heritage". A UNESCO "cultural heritage"
listing would give a veneer of respectability to the torture of animals for public entertainment and mean
subsidies may be made available to financially safeguard the future of bullfighting. Link to petition
Bullfights declared Intangible Cultural Patrimony of France
The Ministry of Culture decided to list bullfights as immaterial heritage of the country last Friday. This is
a first step to candidate bullfights to Intangible Cultural Patrimony of the World. Please send letters of
protest to the President of Republic, Prime Minister and Ministry of Culture. Click here
Mock bullfight at the Glastonbury Festival
According to British media reports there will be a mock bullfight staged by a Portuguese bullfighter in a
newly built bullring at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Click here
Petition to UNESCO
Please sign the following petition to send to UNESCO Against the Declaration of Bullfights as World
Intangible Cultural Heritage. (This petition is in Spanish, English and French) Click here
Protest in Bilbao
Animalist associations along with more than 200 animal activists were united in front of the Guggenheim
Museum of Bilbao in protest against the bullfighting acts that are being celebrated during the Great Week of
the Vizcaya capital. Click here
Protest against Frank Evans booksigning
Frank Evans was due to sign his his autobiography entitled "The Last British Bullfighter" at Waterstones in
Liverpool and Manchester this month. However, after a flood of e-mails from protestors, Waterstones cancelled
these events. Click here
Demonstration in Toredisillas
On September 13th 2009 there was a demonstration in Toredisillas against the torture and spearing of a bull
to death, which is an annual event in this village. To Click here
Nude Spanish
Embassy Protest 2009
On Tuesday 23rd June, 2009 a demonstration (organised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) took
place outside the Spanish Embassy in London, to coincide with the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. To
and see photos Click here
Written Declaration for an EU wide ban on bullfighting
Four MEPs presented on the 15th of January a Written Declaration for an EU wide ban on bullfighting as well
as a ban on subsidies to bull breeders. The elapse time will be the 15th of April. For more
information Click here
Running of the
Nudes
An activist from the UK writes an account of her trip to Pamplona for the Running of the Nudes event - read
article For more information click here or visit their website: www.runningofthenudes.com
Qatar Airways
promotes bullfights
Qatar Airways, Thailand branch is advertising flights to Madrid, Spain, using a photo of a bullfight. For more information, a sample letter and addresses to write to click here
The"Paseo Del Buey" (Stroll of Ox) in Queretaro, Mexico
This cruel celebration is dedicated to the Virgin of a small town and takes place on the 5th February, at
Villa Corregidora, Queretaro, Mexico. This is organized by the Franciscan monks and entails a week of
dances. For more information, a sample letter and addresses to write to click here
Hanging of
Greyhounds in Spain
With the conclusion of Spain's hunting season, the hanging of the galgos/greyhounds begins. And once again
the world bears witness to dead dogs, dangling from wire nooses, inches above the ground. Every year tens of
thousands of Spain's hunting and racing dogs meet a crude and senseless fate after brief lives of loyal
service. For more information, a sample letter and addresses to write to click here
Protest Against the Returning of Bullfights to Lisbon
After being closed for 6 years the bullring of Lisbon reopened after renovation work on the 18th May. A small
shopping mall was built under the bullring with shops, bars and restaurants. This cost 60 million euros. For more information, a sample letter and addresses to write to click here
Campaigns Against
Bloody "Fiestas" in Spain
Details on some of the Fiestas in Spain (Bull with ropes - Benavente, Coria's bull - Coria, Bull with Spears
- Tordesillas, Fire Bulls - Medinaceli). For more information and addresses to write to click here
Protest
Against Bullfights in France
Several villages and cities in France hold bullfights and other popular fiestas that abuse bulls. For
more information, a sample letter and addresses to write to click here