Like a red rag – Can we rejoice in the demise of bullfighting?

THE argument rages on when it comes to the controversial world of bullfighting. Some people class it as a sport, a tradition and even entertainment. Whilst others protest and call for its immediate ban.

You will see Spanish people pointing out on Facebook chats and social media noticeboards that it is only the expats who disagree with it and “if they don’t like it they should stay in their own country.”

However, a recent post by Italian political movement ‘Ora Rispetto Per Tutti Gli Animali’ or ‘Respect For All Animals Now’ dug deeper into an explanation of what goes on to prepare the bulls for the event. Be warned, it is not for the faint-hearted.

“Before a bullfight, the ears are filled with wet newspapers; Vaseline is rubbed in his eyes to blur his sight; cotton is stuck in his nostrils to make his breathing difficult and a needle is planted in the middle of his genitals. A corrosive substance is also rubbed on his legs so that he can lose his balance. All of this also stops him from lying on the ground. To disorient it is held before facing the arena in a narrow and dark space for a couple of days. When freed, he runs desperately towards the light as if coming out of a long tunnel. He thinks that his suffering ended in the end and that he will be freed – instead, he runs into the arena to face his murderers and a slamming crowd of sadistic troglodytes.”

Maybe this is not information that the spectators who pay for the tickets are aware of or maybe it is something they feel does not concern them.

Does this sound like “sport” or “entertainment” to you?

For those of you who may be happy with the demise of bullfighting, it may give you some kind of hope to know that major bullfighting festivities are at an all-time low this month. They have shown a reduction of a whopping 94 per cent compared to those registered last year during what is normally one of the periods of greatest activity.

With social distancing being enforced at bullfights the promoters are not making enough money and are pulling the events due to low ticket sales. Areas such as Madrid are also cancelling events due to safety measures to do with the Covid virus.

Should the virus continue to have an effect on attendance numbers and events being stopped, will those who call for a ban on the so-called “barbarism” finally see the tradition fall to its knees?

It may not be for the reasons animal rights activists would prefer but any outcome that sees their goal should be celebrated. Shouldn’t it?

We hope you enjoyed this article “Like a red rag – Can we rejoice in the demise of bullfighting?”.

You may also wish to read “Ricky Gervais compares bullfighting to slavery and child sacrifice.”

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