What are they?

Bulls in the Ring

This category covers a range of spectacles held inside the bullring, such as "recortes" (dodging events), releasing heifers, "capeas", or grand-prix style contests, along with other events specific to each region. In some of these, the animals are almost a secondary element of the show, and amid the music, drinking and revelry, much of the audience barely pays attention to what is happening to the animals in the ring.

A particularly shameful example, recently banned in 2023, was the "Bombero Torero" ("Firefighter Bullfighter"). It involved mocking a person with a physical disability dressed as a firefighter, who would face a bull for the entertainment of the crowd. In its most outlandish version, it could also include boxing matches, musical performances and all kinds of acrobatics, with absolutely no consideration for the animals involved.

The problem

Most bull-in-the-ring events do not require any particular skill or training; participation is open to the public, and the animals are very young and small, sometimes no bigger than a large dog.

These are disoriented young animals, which suffer a great deal of stress during their first outings from the farm and are forced to endure having their tails pulled, being grabbed by the horns, and being struck against barriers and other props.

Reasons

Especially in smaller towns, the survival of these cruel festivities is explained largely by the lack of alternatives. The lack of options offered by town councils…

Lack of alternatives. A place to gather, with music and drinks, in small towns. Harmless-seeming animals, with people of all ages taking part.