Alex Trelinski
AN ANIMAL welfare group has condemned a Valencia area fiesta after a bull was tied to a rope which broke one of its horns with blood pouring into a public road.
It happened last Sunday at around 9am in Godelleta in the Huya de Buñol region when the bull was released to run through the streets.
AnimaNaturalis was sent footage of the mistreatment and its director, Aida Gascon, said: “This is such a horrible case that even people who are less sensitive to animal suffering are dismayed.”
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“Witnessing a panting animal, entangled with a rope, stunned and bleeding from the broken horn is a Dantesque spectacle which is unfortunately, much more common than imagined in village celebrations, “ Gascon added.
The group says the event cost around €100,000 of local public money to be staged and is known as a rope bull.
It involves releasing a bull with one or more ropes tied to its head to control its movements and attacks.
“This is probably the most distressing spectacle for the animal, as it severely limits its movements for a long period of time,” said AnimaNaturalis in a statement.
“Tradition cannot continue to be an excuse for animal abuse and suffering and we appeal on authorities and society to reflect on these practices and look for alternatives that respect animal welfare.”
