One of the things that makes me really mad about the otherwise beautiful country of Spain is that they keep doing their supposed tradition of bull fighting.

The poor bulls are made to fight for an almost certain death, which seems to mean nothing to the spectators which only want to see blood. The bulls are humiliated and are usually not even given a clean death to ease their suffering. In modern society, how can a "sport" like this still be deemed acceptable?!

I don't really know what can be done to try and stop it. There are petitions to sign but it seems to be such a popular event in Spain that I don't think signing them would change anything.

I suppose that no matter what, there is a certain element of the populace which enjoys seeing animals dying a lingering death, just as there are those who 'enjoy' dog fighting and cockfighting. Eventually Spain will get to a point where there are more tourists who DON'T want to see that, then do. That's when it will stop.

Kingfisher

You can equate this with those other Mediterranean macho males who pit themselves against the most dangerous and difficult prey armed only with a shotgun, I mean of course those who shoot the thousands of migrating song birds every year.

Sadly, many European countries have a totally different attitude to wildlife compared to us, even though it is illegal, the law is not enforced. I get really wound up by the thought of killing anything just for the fun of it.

I hate bull fighting, it is a horrible excuse for a sport. The suffering the bulls go through for the "entertainment" of the public is unacceptable.

The problem is that bull fighting is hugely popular amongst a small percentage of the Spanish population, which are fanatical about it. This small minority also contains some powerful people in Spanish politics, which makes it very difficult to stop.

Is anything being done about bull fighting? What is its image in Spain? Is it enjoyed by the mass majority or is it a powerful minority?

SICK , DISGUSTING are 2 words thats springs to mind about this so called "sport"

So, what were the origins of bull fighting? Religious? Some 'rite of passage'? It seems to be an odd thing to do just to kill an animal. It would stress the bull to the point where the meat would be no good, so why do it?

Anyone know?

Kingfisher

There are several different theories to where bull fighting originated from, but its definitely linked to bull sacrifice and worship many years ago. Quite how it changed from worshipping a bull to humiliating it I don't know, but one theory is that it came from ancient Romes animal fights.

Time for some research!

Kingfisher

I was taken to see a bullfight when I was 5 (many, many, many years ago). I thought it disgusting then and I find it even more so now as I fail to see any purpose to it. I also understand that the bulls are deliberately weakened before they enter the ring - so much for the legendary bravery of the bullfighters!

Yes, bravery is definitely not the term I would use to describe the bull fighters. The bulls really have no chance, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if they were weakened before a fight. Even without being weakened if they have any chance of winning they are quickly slaughtered.

This post was last modified: 10-07-2007 07:13 PM by Xeract.

When I was on holiday in Fuertaventura (not sure how to spell it) with my mum and sister, we felt really sick when we turned on the telly and saw bull fighting. Mum was horrified that it was on general tv for all ages to watch. It upset me and I can still remember the shock of seeing the poor bull bleeding.

It does make it worse that the bull fighting is shown on regular TV at insensitive times so children can see it, and this seems to be considered normal?