There are strong feelings for and against bullfighting. There is no doubt that it's an ancient sport and many paintings and art manifestations show the glory of the sport from Roman times. Animal rights organizations also strongly oppose bullfighting as they feel killing a bull for sport is bad and must be stopped. It is also cruel to the animal that will be killed come what may. Animal rights enthusiasts estimate that 250,000 bulls are killed every year for sport, but this is a weird figure and perhaps not even 10% of these bulls are killed.
Age old Sport
In the 21st century
starting from the late 19th century many countries have restricted or banned the sport. In Columbia, the sport was banned by an executive order of the Mayor of Bogota in 2012. Similary in the Spanish autonomous province of Catalina bull fighting was declared illegal.Supporters of the sport went to the constitutional court for a decision. The constitutional court in both Columbia and Spain has now ruled in favor of bullfighting. In Spain, the CC has said the state parliament has no right to legislate against the sport. Similarly, in Bogota, the CC has ruled against the ban on the sport by Mayor. These are momentous decisions and have given a shot in the arm of the sport. In Spain enthusiasts are planning to hold a bullfight in the city of Barcelone in the month of March and in Bogota bullfight have started.
Nuances of Bullfighting
Animal rights groups have agitated against the CC decision, but the court has said
that it is part of the sporting heritage of the country. The sport was introduced in the country by Spain when it was a colony. In Spain, despite the EU embargo on the sport, the king has said that Spain will never give up bullfighting. The sport brings in millions of dollars and deaths in the ring are not uncommon. Recently a bull gored a matador to death in the arena when live cameras were on and the vide is a rage on youtube.Jallikattu
In India also there is a similar sport called Jallikattu. This involves taming of wild bulls. Yesterday 2 participants wee gored to death in Tamilnadu, though the Supreme Court has banned the sport.
Last Word
Bullfighting has now got a new lease of life and the decisions of the CC will be hard on animal rights activities. Torture killing of an animal is banned, yet I do not see how this sport( bullfighting) will go away. Yes, it is a macho sport and in olden times a matador was given great honor and the choice of virgins. Maybe the virgin part has stopped but not the money and honor.
