Warning: Distressing Content
Pen NewsAnimal rights campaigners are calling for an end to the notorious Pamplona bull run after pictures showing the horrifying injuries sustained by the animals emerged.
Although more than a million tourists visit the Spanish city for its famous bull run each year, many are not aware that the 48 bulls which run through Pamplona in the morning are forced to endure its agonising bullring in the afternoon.
To highlight the cruelty these bulls face, activists from Animal Guardians and La Tortura No Es Cultura (Torture Is Not Culture) have recorded the event in a bid to show tourists what they’re supporting.
This video contains footage some viewers may find distressing:
The video shows some of the animals vomiting blood through their nose and mouth as the matadors continue to attack, despite the bulls bleeding profusely from open wounds.
The doomed animals can also be seen stumbling around as the matadors prolong the bull’s suffering by failing to deliver a coup de grace on their first attempt.
The final bull run concluded on Sunday (July 14), with thousands of people running alongside the bulls through twisting streets until they eventually reach the bullring, where all of the bulls were speared to death.
Pen NewsNow, campaigners are calling for an end to the event, which is the most famous part of the annual San Fermín festival. Marta Esteban of Animal Guardians said the few tourists who did make it to the bullring left soon after, horrified by what they had seen.
Marta explained:
Most only go to the running, they probably don’t even know that there are bullfights. Some go and come out shortly after, disgusted. Our videographer had some Americans in front of him who did just that.
We believe most tourists ignore that the running of the bulls implies suffering for the animals, but most of all they ignore that the bulls are then tortured and killed in the ring.
The running of the bulls is cruel enough, according to veterinarian studies. Bulls are not built to run and this causes a lot of harm to their bodies, not to talk of the injuries when they fall, and the stress and fear.
But worse awaits them in the ring in the evening. Spain has so much to offer: culture, nature, beaches, crazy parties like the Tomatina of Buñol… why go for something that implies atrocious suffering to these bulls? Why support something that your own country would never allow?
Pen NewsCarmen Ibarlucea, from La Tortura No Es Cultura asked people around the world to not participate in the run, and to instead join together to help the animals. ‘Let’s not abandon them to such a cruel fate,’ Carmen added.
Bullfights are protected under the Spanish constitution as part of the country’s cultural heritage. However, the Independent reports support for bullfights in the country is diminishing, with 56 per cent fewer official fights last year than in 2007.
Those who want to see an end to the bullfights are asked to email local authorities on [email protected].
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A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).