Bulls in Spain need our support

I had a letter through the post from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)  and was so horrified by what I read that I had to let you know about it.

PETA has a petition to Pope Leo XIV as head of the Catholic Church, urging him to end the Church’s complicity in bullfighting.   For PETA say that the violence at bullfights is often sanctioned by the Church:  many bullfights are held in honour of saints and some priests actively bless and even promote them.

PETA do say that many priests and officials do not agree with bullfighting.  After all, the Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs that humans must not ‘cause animals to suffer or die needlessly”.   And PETA say that in his encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis wrote that ‘every act of cruelty towards any creature is contrary to human dignity.’ 

I read the letter and leaflet from PETA about bullfighting and I was absolutely HORRIFIED by what I read.   I couldn’t believe it the words on the page, to be honest.   But it’s no good being distressed about it – it won’t change anything - we all need to act and do something to stop it. 

You could take a look at this video but please note that it is very distressing to watch.  Well, I found it very distressing to watch.

The Running of the Bulls, San Fermin

The Running of the Bulls is held every year at the San Fermin festival – a rocket is launched each morning, to announce the start of the run and then six bulls are released on to the streets.   Tourists line the streets, many screaming, and often hitting the bulls as they pass.  PETA say these poor animals often sustain injuries before they even get into the bullring – they are taken one by one into the ring in the evening. 

The matador, say PETA, try to kill the bull by stabbing him in the heart with a long sword which is aimed at the aota and that means that many bulls die drowning in their own blood as the lungs are punctured instead of the heart.  

After the matador has driven a sword into the bull’s heart, a puntillero stabs the bull in the neck to to sever his spinal cord.   Sometimes, the bull’s ears and tail are hacked off – and the bull may still be conscious at that point. 

PETA say that some 60 bulls are tortured and killed during the 10 day festival.  Many spectators leave before the end, horrified by what they have seen.  They need to speak out about the cruelty they have seen. 

PETA also say that about 200 horses are killed in bullrings each year.  They are blindfolded during the event so can’t see or escape the bull, and they often get injured as the bull’s horns pierce the blankets. 

Please find out more about bullfighting here.