Did you know ... the Spanish state of Catalonia has banned bullfighting - proving that "tradition" is no excuse for cruel practises such as the Running of the Bulls.
If you go to Spain, there are some pretty amazing events to check out: the non-stop fireworks of Las Fallas, the week-long FIB music festival, and the insane tomato fight of La Tomatina! But one event that's not so amazing (especially if you're a bull) is the Running of the Bulls. And sadly, this cruel event is just about to take place in Pamplona.
You can probably already imagine the scene: terrified bulls being teased and provoked to run down almost a kilometre of winding streets, surrounded by over-excited and noisy crowds. Often the bulls slide and fall on the slippery roads, hurting themselves, and even breaking bones.
What the bulls don't realise is that their day is only going to get worse. Their stressful run ends in a bullring, where they will be killed in a bloody and one-sided 'fight'. Bulls are speared by men on horseback and may even have neck muscles cut to weaken them, before a matador comes out to taunt and then kill them. The sad spectacle ends when the bull has his spinal cord cut, before being dragged from the ring by his horns.
There's no glory or bravery in deliberately abusing animals. Cultures the world over are realising this and that custom is no excuse for cruelty. In fact a recent poll found that 72% of Spaniards had no interest in bullfighting! Yet, the Running of the Bulls still goes on.
This is why the bulls need people like you to speak out!
Send a message to the Spanish Ministry of Tourism, letting them know that that the cruelty of the Running of the Bulls is putting caring tourists off visiting Spain.
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