| According to the World Society for the Protection of | | | | Unfortunately a huge amount of support also comes |
| Animals, in Latin America and Europe combined, | | | | from tourism; again because tourists are led to believe |
| approximately 250,000 bulls die each year. Do these | | | | that bullfighting is part of a particular country. They are |
| bulls fall prey to a deadly virus, perhaps? Far from it. | | | | unwittingly supporting a dying industry that thrives on |
| The bulls are tortured and killed for the sake of | | | | the torture of an animal: many leave the fights shaken |
| entertainment. Have we evolved at all since the | | | | and disturbed by what they have witnessed, which is, |
| Roman times? | | | | simply, animal cruelty for the sake of entertainment. |
| Latest polls show that over 72% of Spanish citizens | | | | What arguments do supporters of bullfighting use to |
| have no interest in bullfighting, yet, because of a small | | | | defend their tradition? |
| group of influential people in Spain, this inhumane | | | | They use many arguments to defend the spectacle, |
| tradition is being kept alive. Fortunately, in Europe and | | | | mostly in reference to culture and the economy. You |
| Latin America a growing segment of the population is | | | | can read more on these ongoing debates at |
| standing up against bullfighting and calling for an end to | | | | Bullfightingfreeeurope.org, a website sponsored by |
| this cruel spectacle. | | | | WSPA and ten other animal protection groups across |
| Here to talk about bullfighting and what we can do to | | | | Europe. |
| help is Alyx Dow, Programmes Officer | | | | What is the WSPA doing to end bullfighting? Have |
| (Anti-Bullfighting) for the World Society for the | | | | there been any significant developments in the last |
| Protection of Animals (WSPA) | | | | few years? |
| Thank you for this interview, Alyx. Could you start by | | | | In Catalonia, WSPA is running its Culture Without |
| giving us some historical information on how bullfighting | | | | Cruelty campaign with member society ADDA, and |
| began? What is its origin? | | | | there have been a series of successes in the region in |
| There is not much specific information on how or | | | | recent years. 47 towns, including Barcelona, have |
| where bullfighting began, but it is thought to date back | | | | declared themselves anti-bullfighting. You can sign our |
| to Roman times when many different species of | | | | petition, calling for a ban on bullfighting in Catalonia, at |
| animal were killed for the sake of entertainment in | | | | our WSPA website. |
| public arenas. | | | | In Spain, WSPA is supporting work done by member |
| Bulls were also sacrificed for religious purposes and | | | | society, Stopourshame.com, who are working to end |
| more recently, bullfights were (and often still are) held | | | | the national subsidies (funded by Spanish taxpayers) |
| on Sundays, as part of Christian Saints festivals. | | | | given to the bullfighting industry, which total a |
| Most people associate bullfighting with Spain. Besides | | | | staggering 530 million Euros a year. |
| Spain, which other countries practice bullfighting? | | | | In France, 3 towns have recently declared their |
| Within Europe, bullfighting can be found in Spain, France | | | | anti-bullfighting status. You can find out more at |
| and Portugal. Approximately 40,000 bulls die in bullfights | | | | WSPA is also working closely with an alliance of ten |
| every year in Europe. | | | | other animal protection organizations from across |
| In Latin America, bullfighting can be found in Mexico, | | | | Europe to tackle the issue at European level. The EU |
| Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. 'Bloodless' | | | | currently gives subsidies (funded by EU taxpayers) to |
| bullfights can also be found in the USA. Approximately | | | | breeders of fighting bulls, as part of its annual |
| 210,000 bulls in bullfights die every year in Latin | | | | agricultural subsidy system. We recently held a series |
| America. | | | | of events in Brussels at the European Parliament to |
| Does bullfighting differ according to the country? If so, | | | | highlight this issue and call on Parliamentarians and the |
| in what way? | | | | Commission to end these subsidies. You can find out |
| There are 3 types of bullfighting 'styles' - Spanish, | | | | more at Bullfightingfreeeurope.org |
| French and Portuguese. The Spanish version is the | | | | In Latin America many of WSPA's member societies |
| most common across both Europe and Latin America. | | | | are working towards bans of bullfighting across the |
| Bulls die in both the Spanish and Portuguese versions, | | | | region. The first two anti-bullfighting towns in the region |
| although in the Portuguese style it happens behind the | | | | have recently been declared. In Medellin, Colombia, the |
| scenes, after the bullfight has finished. The French style | | | | first ever group of anti-bullfighting city councilors has |
| does not lead to the death of the bull but is also very | | | | been established. You can keep up to date with the |
| stressful for the animals involved. | | | | latest developments on the WSPA International |
| A lot of people ignore what really happens during a | | | | website. |
| bullfight. They have a simple, even romantic image of a | | | | What is Spain's position? |
| torero taunting a bull and of one final thrust of the | | | | In Spain, there is a small group of powerful and |
| sword bringing death to the animal. What exactly | | | | influential people behind the bullfighting industry that are |
| takes place during a bullfight? | | | | keeping it alive. Bullrings are suffering from declining |
| In the Spanish style, which is the most common, there | | | | attendance and a lack of patience from the public in |
| are 3 stages: | | | | terms of its increasing awareness of animal welfare. |
| 1. After the bull enters the ring, toreros wave capes so | | | | Unfortunately, government officials often hesitate to |
| that the bull charges several times. This is followed by | | | | speak out against the spectacle; as was the case a |
| the entrance of the picadors on horseback, who drive | | | | few years ago with foxhunting in the UK. However, |
| a long spear into the bulls back. Both of these short | | | | the Spanish people are telling us they have had |
| stages are designed to tire the bull and weaken its | | | | enough, as shown in Catalonia and the Canary Islands |
| neck and shoulder muscles, causing it to drop its head. | | | | (who have also banned bullfighting), and by the recent |
| There is also a significant risk to the horses involved - | | | | banning of the broadcast of bullfights on state TV, |
| although they wear padding, the experience is very | | | | following the assertion that it is too violent for children. |
| stressful for them and can cause serious or fatal | | | | We think it is about time that the government listens to |
| injury. | | | | its citizens and ends bullfighting for good in Spain. |
| 2. Men called banderilleros enter the ring and use | | | | Do you see Spain making bullfighting illegal any time |
| weapons called banderillas (colourful short spears with | | | | soon? |
| harpoon ends) which further weaken the bull when | | | | Based on public opinion polls that have been done, |
| they are stabbed into the top of the bulls back. By this | | | | dwindling attendance at bullfights as well as the |
| point the bull has lost a significant amount of blood and | | | | achievements in recent years in getting anti-bullfighting |
| is exhausted. | | | | declarations, we are confident that bullfighting is a dying |
| 3. The matador enters with a cape and sword. Tiring | | | | industry that is destined to be banned in the near |
| the bull further with several runs at the cape, the | | | | future. |
| matador thrusts the sword through the bulls back, with | | | | Is there a way bullfighting could be modified to become |
| the intention of severing the aorta. The sword often | | | | a humane practice? |
| misses, piercing the lungs and the bull drowns in its own | | | | No - the practice would still involve placing an animal |
| blood - as can be witnessed when bulls are often be | | | | into an unnatural situation that causes the animal stress |
| seen with blood pouring from their nose and mouth at | | | | and anxiety, for the sake of entertainment. WSPA |
| the end. If the bull does not die quickly, a small knife is | | | | wants to see an end to bullfighting worldwide, in all its |
| used to sever its spinal cord at the neck. If the crowd | | | | forms. |
| deems it a 'good' kill, the matador is 'awarded' the bull's | | | | What can Spaniards do to help stop bullfighting in |
| ears and tail which he cuts off himself (the bull is often | | | | Spain? |
| still alive during this). | | | | Spanish people can help to end bullfighting in their |
| The whole process takes approximately 20 minutes - | | | | country by writing to their local politicians and high level |
| and the bull suffers an agonizing and torturous death. | | | | officials within the government, expressing their wish |
| In spite of bullfighting being a cruel and inhumane | | | | for national subsidies to the bullfighting industry to end, |
| tradition, many people-not only Spaniards-watch this | | | | and for their to be a national legislative ban on |
| spectacle. Why do you think this is and what does this | | | | bullfighting in Spain. They can also avoid attending |
| say about human nature? | | | | bullfights and spreading the word to their friends and |
| Within bullfighting countries there is a small but strong | | | | family. |
| following that keeps bullfighting alive, largely based on | | | | They can also sign our petition to achieve a ban in |
| the claim that it is part of the country's culture. All | | | | Catalonia which can be found at the WSPA website. |
| bullfighting countries have a fascinating history, with a | | | | Another way to help is to support their local animal |
| rich culture that they should be proud of. However, | | | | welfare organizations, either through donations or by |
| evidence is showing us that most citizens of these | | | | attending peaceful events that call on the government |
| countries do not want animal cruelty to be part of their | | | | to end bullfighting. |
| heritage. Just as with the ban on foxhunting in the UK, | | | | Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers? |
| citizens are speaking out about the importance of | | | | The WSPA is also campaigning for a Universal |
| animal welfare over an archaic 'tradition' that is neither | | | | Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) at the United |
| necessary nor humane. | | | | Nations - international recognition that animals matter |
| The latest polls in Spain show us that over 72% of | | | | and governments should be doing more to protect |
| Spanish people have no interest in bullfighting. This | | | | them. Such an agreement would help us talk to |
| climbs to over 80% in the autonomous region of | | | | governments about issues like bullfighting. You can sign |
| Catalonia. Anti-bullfighting sentiment is growing across | | | | the petition in support at Animalsmatter.org. |
| Europe and Latin America - people are standing up | | | | Thank you very much for taking the time to answer |
| against the protection of bullfighting as part of national | | | | my questions on this important subject. I would like to |
| heritage and calling for an end to this cruel spectacle. | | | | end this interview by quoting some wise words from |
| Furthermore, the WSPA believes that culture is no | | | | Mahatma Ghandi: "The greatness of a nation and its |
| excuse for cruelty, no matter where in the world it | | | | moral progress can be judged by the way its animals |
| happens or the rationale behind it. | | | | are treated. |