re: Going to a bullfight

i think the treatment of the animal prior to the fight is cruel. They are often separated from their herd (herd animals get afraid when alone) for extended period and kept in confined dark areas with no room to move to agitate them. Often they are physically abused in this time to keep them agitated.

its common practices to stuff their ears and clog their eyes with jelly before setting them out into the arena. So they have been physically assaulted, are partially blinded and deaf and send into a bright arena surrounded by smells of a bunch of people. i can only imagine that poor bull is scared shitless and thats why it "fights".

Then the "fight" itself seems pretty unsporting. its it could be 2-3 guys really against 1 bull. A series of lancing of muscles and barbed hooks to weaken the animal and further agitate it. The matadors killing blow is hopefully on point and severed the major vessels of the heart for a fast death, but thats not guaranteed.

I the bull "wins" and injures the matador, usually another just steps in to finish the job. The the poor beast doesn't even have a chance to save itself.

Less of a " fight " and just more a ceremonial killing. Not my thing personally.

My first wife was a big bullfighting fan, and we went to La Ventas when we were in Madrid. I grew up around cattle, and I swore to myself that as we left, it was my last time.

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i think the treatment of the animal prior to the fight is cruel. They are often separated from their herd (herd animals get afraid when alone) for extended period and kept in confined dark areas with no room to move to agitate them. Often they are physically abused in this time to keep them agitated. its common practices to stuff their ears and clog their eyes with jelly before setting them out into the arena. So they have been physically assaulted, are partially blinded and deaf and send into a bright arena surrounded by smells of a bunch of people. i can only imagine that poor bull is scared shitless and thats why it "fights". Then the "fight" itself seems pretty unsporting. its it could be 2-3 guys really against 1 bull. A series of lancing of muscles and barbed hooks to weaken the animal and further agitate it. The matadors killing blow is hopefully on point and severed the major vessels of the heart for a fast death, but thats not guaranteed. I the bull "wins" and injures the matador, usually another just steps in to finish the job. The the poor beast doesn't even have a chance to save itself. Less of a " fight " and just more a ceremonial killing. Not my thing personally.

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Mostly this, combined with the “spectacle” just not being all that spectacular. It might have been an interesting contest in previous eras, but now it’s just a needlessly protracted butchering.

Don't sit in the sun. Only poor people sit in the sun.

Most likely there will be more protestors than people attending the event, and by a bunch.


I have been to one in Pamplona years ago and went a couple of times with a friend in Juarez. The latter was more fun, less "pomp", less commercial and Juarez is a fun city with someone who is local. I think the "season" in Juarez is about 2 - 3 day weekends over the course of the year...it is not a lot. The experience in Juarez compared to Pamplona was like going to a minor league baseball game compared to a MLB game. Not in terms of the quality, I am not an afficianado by any stretch, but in terms of the crowd. Juarez is just fun. I thoroughly enjoyed it BUT it is not for everyone. It is a spectacle and it is seriously cruel BUT no more so than what happens to most cows and chickens, its just done in the light of day with a crowd watching. The three times that I have been the ring was packed to start with and about halfway through the first bull it was about 2/3s empty. It is certainly not for everyone, even people who are interested or curious often have trouble with it....and no mistake, it is cruel and barbaric, but it is also something that humans have done for a LONG time and a part of our history. I certainly get why most would not go....I do not understand for the life of me why they would not want someone else not to go.....the fact that soooooooo many people would indeed prevent me from going if they could is a big part of the reason I have gone. Unless one refuses to eat beef, pork or chicken the manner of killing an animal should be of little concern to anyone not present or involved....I have worked in chicken processing plants and the cruelty a chicken goes through to make a commitment to Sunday dinner is no less cruel than a bull in the ring.

I was told, but I do not know if it is so or not, that there is still some no kill bullfighting in Texas and along the Texas / Mexico border. I hope there is.

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it is cruel and barbaric, but it is also something that humans have done for a LONG time and a part of our history

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i respect tradition and wouldn't want the people to change their ways if they dont want to, but i also think the argument of that its been done a long time is a poor one. We should strive to be better. If its not necessary to be cruel and barbaric, then why should we be?

I cant speak to slaughter houses in other countries, but the ones here do try to use quick and humane killing methods. So i wouldnt call it the same but in the ligh tof day.

Went once many years ago in Monterrey, Mexico. Still get nauseated when I think of how they tortured that animal.

Yes, it was bloody & gross. You will be pulling for bull after a few minutes.