Bullfighting - Sport? Or Animal Cruelty?

by Lorrie Davids⁽⁶⁶³⁾ Blue Star

You don't hear about bullfighting much anymore. Most, in the US, anyway, consider it barbaric and cruel treatment of the animals. But, as with most sports, the element of conquering, defeating, even killing has an appeal that too many cannot resist.

Growing up I heard about running with the bulls and occasionally bullfighting would be in the news. I thought it was just a matador with a red cape taunting the bull until it attacked its tormenter and the man would jump out of the way as the crowd yelled " Ole! " . Since that time, I have come to realize there are many components to a bullfight, none of them in the bull's favor.

Bullfighting is popular in Spain, Portugal, some parts of France and parts of Latin America.

Those who support bullfighting say it is an important part of history; those opposed are adamant that it is an event for no reason but to shed blood. The younger population of bullfighting countries are losing interest to technology, specifically the Internet and video games and sports where both sides have a chance to win, like soccer.

On one side, the bull. On the other, men on horseback who stab the bull using spears, some running to the bull to poke or attach sticks with fish-hook style ends, then before the matador comes out, another person enters the arena to taunt the bull. All the matador has left to do is plunge the sword into the neck of the bull.

This sounds like animal cruelty to me! I have checked a few websites and have not found what is done with the bull. As far as I know, nothing. Bullfighting might be justifiable if at least the meat from the bull was used to feed the homeless or the hide tanned and used as income for a poor city. Even then, I can't see it being a good thing.

Some would argue rodeo is just as inhumane and cannot be justified as a sport. I disagree. While the animals in rodeo don't realize some are about to be roped and tied, no long term damage is done and the animal has as great, maybe even better chance to defeat their human opponent.

Are things likely to change for the " sport " of bullfighting? Smaller crowds, maybe, but there will always be those who support the old ways. Bullfighting is likely to continue, but as the world watches with disapproval, the shouts of " Ole! " may become a little softer.

Sources: theHoya.com and Wikipedia

Article submitted Sunday, April 19, 2009 & read 168 times.

Lorrie loves to read and occasionally takes a stab at writing. Other interests include music, photography and working in the yard. Lorrie and her husband of 34 years are parents to two daughters, two sons-in law, 4 grandkids (number 5 is on the way), a White Shepherd and a Siberian Husky.

Lorrie's articles are found only on www.SearchWarp.com and www.mypettale.com.

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» left by Joel Hendon (2 years 293 days ago.)

Hi Lorrie, a wonderful article. I was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas for almost a year in 1952. They had bullfights across the border in Juarez, and for the curipsity of it a paid for a ticket and went into the stadium, It was a nice stadium with a beautiful arena and the crowd was "in the mood" with yelling and waging flags, etc.

You have described the activities quite well.. The bull has no chance of coming out alive. If perchance he happens to get a horn into the matador's groin and flips him 10 feet, he will still be surrounded by the horse riders with their staves and perhaps another matador takes him on. It did not happen while I was there.

There were five events at the one I attended and I left after the third, very disillusioned at this they called "sport". I could not help myself but to root for the bulls. It is one of the most cruel things I've ever watched.

When the matador finally inserts the sword between his shoulder blades and it sticks out underneath his chest with blood flowing off the end of it, this strong animal continues to fight until he has no more strength left and will stop, crumple down on his stomach and then the brave matador walks up with a small knife which he sticks just behind the horns, and the bull quickly stiffens and rolls over on his side.

I was about in tears when I left the arena. And I swore I'd never go to another one. That's been 57 years and I have not.
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