Above photo is of the 28-year-old Matador Victor Barrio who was gored to death on Saturday

I am actually doing it! It’s the perfect blend of adventure and culture. I’m hooked

Joe Escalante  – Bullfighter from the USA

Adventure and Culture?

On Friday, as the news starting filtering through of the injuries sustained during day one of the Pampalona San Fermin Festival bull run,  I said “Oh no, here we go again .”  I had no idea that things would escalate so badly.

24 hours later, 28-year-old Matador Victor Barrio was gored to death.  His wife was in the crowd and the bull fight was being broadcast live on TV at the Feria del Angel in Teruel.  This is not a sport and it cannot be classified as entertainment.

Reports indicate that he was the first Matador to die in 30 years.  But how many injuries have there actually been during that time?  In 2013 alone 31 Matadors were injured along with 16 Picadors and Banderillos – the guys who plunge spikes into the bull before the Matador finishes him off with a sword.

The baiting of any animal is fundamentally wrong.

5 more men were gored on the fourth day at the Pampalona San Fermin bull run over the weekend.

Bull fighting and Bull Running draw huge crowds every year.  I just find it abhorrent that such a large percentage of the population are so drawn to inciting fear into the bulls during the bull running and literally baying for blood during the bull fight.

Bull fighting courses are widely available.  Why do young men and women choose such to make a career from the public baiting and slaughter of animals?  Adventure and Culture?

It really makes me feel red and the poor old bull is colour blind bull.

Alessandra Rupar-Weber sums it up more succinctly …

For more information on bull fighting, please go to www.bullfighting.org.uk

Filed under: Animal Cruelty, Animal Welfare, Expect the Unexpected Tagged: animal baiting, bull fighting, bull running, Feria del Angel, Joe Escalante, Pampalona Bull Running Festival, San Fermin Festival, Teruel, Victor Barrio