Animal rights activists in the Catalonia region of Spain are pushing for the government to ban the custom of bullfighting, due to what they call the unnecessary suffering of the animal.
More than 180,000 Spaniards have already signed a petition calling for a complete ban on the tradition, forcing a debate to the parliament of Catalonia.
If the measure is approved, Catalonia would become the first region in Spain, outside of the Canary Islands, to ban bullfighting.
"I'm against any form of animal cruelty," animal rights activist, Leonardo Anselmi told CNN.
"We should start thinking about our relationship with animals. Also, when we display it publicly as a spectacle, it not only takes away the dignity of all animals, but the dignity of our own society."
However, many Spaniards have voiced their opposition to the ban, saying that the age-old tradition is something that needs to be preserved.
Luis Corrales is the president of the "Platform for the Defence of Bullfighting" - an organization arguing for the continuation of the blood sport.
"I definitely support bullfighting," Corrales said.
"I say yes to it, and want to emphasize the importance of having freedom of speech and freedom of choice."
In 2007, Spain's public television dropped live bullfighting from its schedule, reportedly because it was too bloody for children.
And last year, in southern Spain, a Gallup poll found that three-quarters of those surveyed oppose bullfighting although only half of that total wanted a complete ban.
Posted by
Siv
2 comments:
In my opinion, I strongly agree with the Animal Rights Activists of Catalonia; bullfighting should be banned.
For those of you who do not know how bullfighting works, it is a form of Spanish traditional practice that has been around for many decades. A bull is let into the centre ring and the lead bull fighter (a.k.a the Matador), flips a red or yellow cape causing the bull to charge. Afterwards a trumpet is sounded and several fighters called Picadores weaken the bull by placing spears into it. This takes around 10 minutes. Another trumpet is sounded and the Matador then demonstrates his superiority to the bull. He then takes a sword called the Espada and attacks the bull, pushing the Espada deep between the shoulder bones. Like majority of the time, the bull drops immediately to its knees dying, but if the bull fails to die the matador may take the Descabello (a sword with a short cross piece at the end) which he stabs into the bull's neck severing the spinal cord indicating the fight is over.
Although I am not of a Spanish background, I agree with the 180,000 odd Spaniards who think that bullfighting should be banned. I feel as if by taking part in this cultural experience, they are taking advantage of the animals, who do not have the ability to speak/stand up for themselves. However there is still a majority of Spaniards who feel that bullfighting shouldn’t be banned, for the sake that should keep an old-aged tradition alive. I feel that the government should listen to the voices of the Activists in order to get an idea of both sides of the argument. In my opinion it is up to the government to decide whether or not to completely ban the practice of bullfighting or come up with a compromise which wouldn’t cause harm to the animals yet keep the tradition alive. This way, everyone will be satisfied.
I strongly agree with Siv and the Animal Rights Activist. Bull fighting is cruel to the bulls. TO many bulls are dying because of this tradition. Though bull fighting is a tradition that my ancestors probably supported and watched it's time we stop this cruelty. Also Siv is right, the government of Spain should listen to both sides of the argument so they come up with a compromise.
- Abi.C
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