A United Voice In Defense Of Animal Welfare: Traditions That Celebrate Cruelty Have No Place In A Modern Society

As entities committed to protecting animals, we are grateful to have the opportunity to express our position with regards to the recent article “The First Bullfighter from San Miguel de Allende to Perform as a Matador in Spain.” The article was about the success of a local bullfighter from San Miguel de Allende.

Proponents endorse bullfighting as a tradition, a cultural expression, an art form, and a sport. We acknowledge that it is a tradition, deep rooted in history, but it is a violent and cruel tradition passed down from one generation to another.

Traditions that celebrate cruelty should end because they have no place in a modern society. Culture evolves and practices once accepted should be revised or abandoned. No ethical, moral, or societal claims can be made on behalf of an activity that causes immense pain and suffering to sentient animals. Art form is a means of artistic expression. Many points can be made that bullfighting is not an art form but suffice it to say that in 2021 a justice of the Spanish Supreme Court ruled that the hurting and killing of bulls is not an art form but an unethical and cruel practice. 

If bullfighting was written in two words, bull fighting, one could label it as an oxymoron. The bulls do not fight. They simply respond to extreme stress, provocation, and injury to defend themselves and escape. When they charge at the bullfighter, it is not an aggressive attack but a defensive behavior to thwart the threat. Bullfighting is not a sport because it is not a fight between willing participants, such as boxing. It is a ritualistic slaughter far from a fair contest as it is made out to be.

The strongest case against it can be made by detailing the brutality that lies in the severe suffering inflicted on the bulls; for at its core, it subjects bulls to systemic torture. It involves multiple acts of cruelty, beginning well before the actual event in the arena and culminating in a prolonged agonizing death. Some of the cruelties before the event include: weakening them by tying heavy weights to their necks for weeks; rubbing petroleum in their eyes to obscure their vision; and, beating them repeatedly in sensitive areas toward submission. Other atrocities are perpetrated just before the event all of which impair the bulls physically and psychologically leaving them weakened and confused.

A typical event has three parts to it. The first part involves the bull charging at the matador and his team with the bull being stabbed in its neck by picadors to weaken it. This causes severe blood loss and impairs the bull’s ability to raise its head. The second part features banderilleros placing barbed sticks into its shoulders to further provoke and weaken it. The final part is where the matador attempts to kill the bull with a long thin sword at times missing his target which then leads to even more prolonged pain and suffering. 

The bulls are not the only animals that suffer. The picadores ride horses who are often blindfolded. They face enormous stress and danger. Goring wounds are common and many die in the ring.

Tradition, culture, entertainment, and sport can never be justified when an activity inflicts immeasurable pain and suffering on sentient beings.

Humans too, especially children, are adversely impacted by witnessing this gruesome activity. Long-lasting traumatic effects including nightmares are not uncommon. Exposure to violent spectacles also contributes to desensitization to violence. 

San Miguel de Allende is widely recognized as the best small city in the world. “Best” means excelling all others, implicitly in all aspects of life. Yet, the city continues to hold bullfighting events. Given the overwhelming case against this atrocity, are we really the best? Global movement is shifting toward banning bullfighting. It is about time for us to do the same.

As entities committed to animal welfare and protection, we write this article on behalf of the animals who cannot advocate for themselves; and we implore readers of this article to not only boycott bullfighting wherever in the world where it still exists but also to spread the word to their families and friends to do the same.

Signatories: 

Amigos deAnimales 

Dogs Without Borders Foundation

Lucky Dogs Club House 

Para Los Animales

The VeganWave SMA

Yo Amo Animalitos

Fundación Mexicana Con El Corazón Nutriendo Almas