THE decision of the Spanish Congress to protect bullfighting and grant it cultural heritage status has been condemned by international animal protection organisations.

The coalition of six organisations released the following statement: “Spain’s government has signalled its support for unacceptable animal cruelty and the allowance of public funds used to assist the blood sport.

This move is a cynical attempt by a desperate bullfighting industry to secure the future of this dying industry. Bullfighting is cruel and outdated and has no place in a modern society; culture stops where cruelty starts.”

Bullfighting is a business in decline in Spain and elsewhere. Dwindling attendance figures raise questions over the industry’s financial viability, and the public is not supportive of subsidies used to protect it.

A 2013 Ipsos MORI poll of Spanish citizens showed more than three quarters of the Spanish population opposed their taxes being used to support bullfighting.

The final text will now be presented to the Senate where a vote is likely to take place later this month. Campaigners are encouraging Senators to oppose all moves to protect bullfighting.

The new legislation is not expected to affect the regional bans in place in Catalonia and Canary Islands. Spanish groups will launch a citizens’ initiative in 2014 to reverse the new legislation.

Humane Society International, World Society for the Protection of Animals, CAS International, League Against Cruel Sports, PETA and the platform Torture is not Culture will continue working to ban bullfighting.

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21 COMMENTS

  1. This is disgraceful and must be stopped, how can you still be allowing this to take place, anyone who condoles this is sick. These are living creatures with feelings, how can you be so cruel as to torture these animals, you as a country need to change you attitude towards how you teat animals in general, because you are wrong I for one will never visit your country until it is stopped for good. You be ashamed of your self your murderers

  2. As a Spanish woman, I AM TOTALLY AGAINS THIS BARBARIE AND ALL THAT INVOLVES ANY ANIMAL TORTURE, THEREFORE I WISH WITH ALL MY HEART WILL HELP TO STOP IT DEFINITIVELY.
    Thank you for beeen there for the animals.

  3. Espanha um Páis de desgraciados cobardes,que se sientem dOnos de la vida y muerte cruel,de la tortura,asesinatos dos toros,dos becerros,novillos y vaquillas.Ustedes son la disgracia y la vergoenza deste mundo y todos los odiamos.Esto és um pueblo e um Gobierno de asesinos desgraciados del infierno.POLÍTICOS DO PP E PSOE JAMÁS USTEDES TERAM VOTOS DEL PUEBLO QUE DEFIENDENLOS ANIMALES DE ESTE MASSACRE DE LOS INSANOS.qUE SUS HIJOS MORRAN DE LA MESMA MANERA,CON GRANDE SUFRIMIENTO,ASI QUIEN SABE USTEDES DEMÔNIOS ABRAN LOS OJOS MALDITOS.

  4. Que tipo de seres humanos são esses, que se divertem com o sofrimento e morte de animais inocentes, que agoniza enquanto essas pessoas de coração de pedras gritam de alegria e acham normal ver sangue derramado. Isto é um circo de horrores, e já devia ter acabado a muito tempo!!!! Evoluam cabeças insanas!!

  5. With fox hunting it was ‘The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable’. Here it is ‘The disgusting pursuit of third world brains endeavoring to kill, with as much pain as possible, animals that have more intelligence than they have’.

  6. no hace nSoy española y siento verguenza ante el mundo por la crueldad con que se trata en España a los animales,en particular a los toros.Soy activista y hay muchas personas que luchamos para la abolicion, pero el gobierno no hace caso a pesar de nuestras protestas.Pedimos ayuda a los demás paises de Europa que protesten en las Embajadas de España y que amenacen que los turistas dejaran de venir si no desaparecen las corridas de toros

  7. LA “TAUROMAQUIA” Y “TODOS LOS DEMAS ESPECTACULOS TAURINOS” SON LO MAS ATROZ QUE EXISTE!!

    CREO SINCERAMENTE, QUE AUNQUE SEA ALGO ANCESTRAL, ES UN ESPECTACULO, DEGRADANTE, DEMASIADO CRUEL, INJUSTO, INFAME, GOZAR CON EL “SUFRIMIENTO” DE CUALQUIER SER, NO “SE JUSTIFICA CON NADA” ESTAS “PERSONAS” DELIBERADAMENTE SON SICOPATAS!!!!
    ESPAÑA, ES UN PAIS, QUE POR ESTOS ACTOS, DA VERGUENZA!!!

    FUERAA “LA TAUROMAQUIA DEL MUNDO”!!!

    LUCHEMOS POR UN MUNDO MEJOR!!!

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