Efforts are now made to put an end to the Toro Jubilo festival

Sep 19, 2012 08:57 GMT  ·  By

One very long lasting Spanish tradition has to do with the fact that, each year, people in this country gather around and set a bull on fire. Seeing how the animal is very much alive when this happens, animal rights activists are desperately trying to put an end to this practice.

More so given the fact that, as they explain, the only reason for which the animal is set on fire whilst still alive is to entertain the people taking part in the Toro Jubilo festival, which usually takes place in November.

Global Animal offers us some insight into what it is exactly that the bull chosen to “star” in this festival will be facing: the animal's horns are to have a mass of flammable turpentine attached to them, and this material will later on be set on fire.

Without dwelling too much on this aspect, reference must be made to the fact that this practice leads to the bull's having its head, eyes, horns and body burnt in a rather slow manner. Therefore, it may be hours before the torture comes to an end.

Interestingly enough, it seems that the only reason why this festival has not been outlawed up until now is that, once the fire subsides, the bull receives medical attention and veterinarians make sure it is nursed back into health.

As one high official explained, “If the horns are wide enough, they won’t get burnt.”

However, some argue that, although those in charge of organizing this festival state that the bulls are well looked after once their ordeal comes to an end, the animals are in fact dismembered and parts of them are shared amongst the people who happen to be present.

In order to put an end to this practice, animal rights activists wish to present the government with a petition, which is made available for the general public to sign here.