It’s Time to End Bullfighting

Bullfighting needs to end. It needs to end now.

The so-called “sport” of bullfighting originated in ancient Rome, alongside many other barbaric rituals which have long since become distant memories. In an era when public sentiment has turned so harshly against dogfighting, I cannot understand why support remains for bullfighting. Cultural heritage and history be damned. This blood sport belongs in the Middle Ages, not in 2010.

Last week, famed matador Julio Aparicio was gored in the throat by a bull during the Festival of Saint Isidro. (Note: Follow that link with caution as the pictures are extremely graphic.) Aparicio required several surgeries to save his life.

When an incident like this happens, it draws international attention to a situation that benefits from increased scrutiny. We have to ask ourselves: when a sport is cruel to the bulls, dangerous for the humans, and is a holdover from a time in human history when we forced prisoners to fight to the death for the amusement of the masses, why hasn’t anyone put a stop to it yet?

The bulls in a standard bullfight are drugged and confused animals, debilitated and run in circles by others who stab them with spears before the matador approaches to make the “kill shot” with his sword. Anyone who believes this fight to be fair, is mistaken. By the time a matador approaches to actually kill the bull, the animal typically has enough spears in his neck and back muscles to prevent him from fully lifting his head.

The recent history of bullfighting clearly shows the potential risk to the humans choosing to participate. Although matador injuries are not common, when they do occur, they are often horrific. Some bullfighting venues actually maintain in-house operating rooms and surgeons for emergencies.

My sympathies lie with the animals in the sport moreso than the humans because a person makes the choice to compete in the arena; the bulls do not. Julio Aparicio is rich from bullfighting and understands the risks he undertakes to be a bullfighter. It makes it difficult to feel bad for him. And he survived the fight; the bull did not.

For the sake of the animals involved, for the safety of the humans who participate, for the sake of elevating humanity out of an era relishing on a blood-thirsty fascination with death, gore and pain, bullfighting needs to become a thing of the past.

Photo: gcardinal

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sandy G.

3:12PM PDT on May 15, 2011

Too bad matador Julio Aparicio couldn't have died from his wounds. I truly wish the planet rid of even one person who thinks it's ok to inflict suffering on the innocent who have no say in the matter. This needs to end, a long time ago.

send a green star

Genoveva M.

3:38AM PDT on May 12, 2011

I signed so many petitions about this subject and for different countries, I will continue as long as live, and as long as there are countries full of criminals who practice bullfighting. For me animals have dignity too, and to see a magnificent creature such as the bull laying on the grown defeated by an bastard matador is just sickening. I never fell bad when the matador is the one laying down, never.

Melanie A.

1:06PM PST on Jan 20, 2011

Again, WHERE's THE PETITION??? This is LONG overdue - even most people in SPAIN think bullfighting should END. Let's do it!

Dan B.

7:43AM PST on Jan 20, 2011

The best way to honor and protect animals EVERYDAY is to not eat them.

Fight cruelty with your fork; have compassion on your plate; increase social justice with every meal.

For more info about the *many* benefits of vegetarianism (and the many problems with the production and consumption of meat), please visit (and share) Eco-Eating at www.brook.com/veg

Maria K.

4:58AM PST on Jan 20, 2011

I cheer for the bulls!!

Lenora S.

4:58PM PST on Jan 19, 2011

I can NOT belive that "we"are asking each other if this should be banned or not,it makes me SICK!

Margarethe B.

5:15AM PDT on Nov 5, 2010

We have to stop this cruelty !!! We should be ashamed. We, who want to be modern people with responsibility to all living around us. We really should be ashamed!!

Cindy C.

11:46AM PDT on Oct 14, 2010

OH MY GOD HOW EVIL

Diane E.

12:10AM PDT on Jul 29, 2010

I heard on the news yesterday that they are putting a stop to the bullfighting in Spain, it brought tears to my eyes, I was SO grateful, I have signed and stayed in touch with Care2 causes for months-well done everybody who supported this cause. Diane Easey Cape Town South Africa

Edu Z.

2:39PM PDT on Jul 13, 2010

Very informative and of course i support a ban on bullfighting