top of page
  • Writer's pictureJennifer J

San Fermin A Public Display Of Animal Torture


In the modern world, you would think that we would be well past the stage of torturing animals for ''fun''. Such as the ''fun'' that some people get from bullfighting. This cave man like activity isn't ''fun'', it is a public display of animal cruelty and torture. Where some people get a psychopathic kick out of seeing a bull terrified and murdered. The animal rights movement has progressed a lot over the past 20 years. However, when we still have animals used as 'entertainment,' it shows how far the animal rights movement has still to go. At its heart, bullfighting is as cowardly as you can get. At its heart, bullfighting is bullying. The odds are stacked against the bull, even before the poor animal enters the ring. Bulls are tortured even before they enter the ring, by being probed with electricity. Bulls are usually gentle animals in spirit, but they are wound up before a match before they enter the ring.

This is so there is a fight, but it is not the only way that bulls are traumatized and disabled before a match. Their senses are effectively blocked before they enter a bull ring. Their ears are blocked so they cannot hear. Their eyes are blocked with Vaseline so they cannot see. And their noses are blocked with cotton, so they cannot smell. This is to weaken the animal.

In effect, the bull has no chance to fight back. Blocking their senses is the ultimate act of cowardice and bullying. It's aim is to disable the animal, so that the animal can't fight back. The poor animal rarely stands a chance. We often proud ourselves to be civilized, but when we have such brutality inflicted towards sentient beings, beings who can feel pain and fear, how civil are we really? Not very, when it comes to animals. We think of ourselves as being more civil now, than ever before. But when we look upon a bullring and what happens to bulls when in them, it is like a Roman coliseum - it looks like our uncivilized and brutish past is still alive. In coliseums, people would attend the Coliseum to see people and animals tortured, taunted and killed. That still exists, with animals. Like with bullfighting. When looked upon, the bull ring is very reminiscent of the coliseums of the Roman Empire. It doesn't have to be like this. It is an industry which is largely, but not only, supported by tourists. The tourist industry is partly what keeps inhumane bullfighting alive. Tourists who attend these sorts of events are what keeps this horrible and archaic industry alive. Events like San Fermin, where tourists go to flock.

What is San Fermin? San Fermin takes place annually in the city of Pamplona. It is a week long 'festival.' Which is infamous for its running of the bulls cruelty. And its bullfighting cruelty. It largely consists of tourists from other countries. Whenever tourists participate in the running of the bulls, they are participating in animal cruelty. Whether knowingly or unknowingly. Once these bulls are run through the street, they end up at a bullring, where they are tortured and then killed. All of the bulls in the run, will be killed. Every night, from July 6th to July 14th, bulls are killed in the bullring at San Fermin. But it doesn't have to be like this. It can change. We can end it. If only we speak up and say no. If only we demand that change. We can use our pound and our voice to stop bulls being tortured at this festival. Use your pound by not attending this event. Use your voice to contact the Spanish authorities to ask them to stop this event. ​Please sign The Leagues petition to help stop bullfighting. You can find this petition here.

bottom of page