All the bulls that run in the streets of Pamplona during the "encierros" from 7th to 14th July, are killed that same evening in a bullfight on behalf of San Fermin and his traditional "Fiesta". Torturing and killing defenseless animals should not be celebrated as a tradition. People always use tradition to justify horrible acts, such as child labor or slavery. But if something is a tradition does not mean that it's ethically correct. Bullfighting is a cruel sport that should exist only in history books. No matter what they say, the bullfights are torture, mutilation and killing of innocent and defenseless animals for entertainment of a few.
The "encierros" of San Fermin
The bulls are bred in fields and aren't accustomed to the noise and crowds of people. Once opened the pens, they are forced to run by electric shocks and screams, and in order to "attack" and run speedly are beaten and harassed by the "corridors", which usually carry newspapers for this purpose. The corners of the streets of Pamplona are very closed, and animals tend to slip and fall, hitting the walls or barriers of restraint, twisting members and possibly hurting each other when they fall together. This, in addition to the injuries that can cause to the riders that also fall on the streets.
All the bulls that run in the morning in Pamplona, go directly to a terrible death in bullfights held in the afternoon in the Plaza de Toros, where they are locked up in the morning. (Photo credit: Xavi Talleda)
The bullfight
Each year, more than 40,000 bulls are killed brutally in the arenas of Spain.(1) Most visitors of the plaza are tourists who have never seen a bullfight before, and once out, most of them do not want to see one again. Bullfights are repulsive, bloody, and sad for their cruelty to animals.
The name "bullfighting" is a misnomer, because it is always a competition between a matador armed with a sword and equipped with all kinds of bladed weapons, against a confused, hungry and psychologically tormented animal.
One of the most important supporters of bullfights is the tourist industry. Travel agents and promoters of bullfighting or the bullrings, sell the bullfight as a fair show, a cultural festival. But what that doesn't reveal is that the bull never has the option to defend against the weapons of torture of the torero and his gang of armed men.
Bulls are intentionally debilitated in various ways, such as lack of food and confinement in a dark enclosure . The use of drugs in animals is also common. A study conducted by the University of Salamanca (Spain) found that 20% of bulls used in bullfights were drugged before going into the bullring. In a sample of 200 bulls, one of five had been given anti-inflammatory drugs and hide the injury or damage suffered by a weak animal in their forces.(2)
Another common practice is the "afeitado" (shaving) of the horns, which are filed several centimeters.(3) The horns of bulls are like cats' whiskers, help animals get oriented, so a sudden change affects their coordination. Shaving is illegal, so the horns are subjected to veterinary inspection after the race. In 1997, the Confederation of Bullfighting Professionals, which includes a 230 Spanish bullfighters went to strike in opposition to these veterinary inspections.(4)
In a normal bullfight, the bull enters the arena and is haunted by the "picador" -a horseman who rides a horse blindfolded-, that plunges a spear into the base of the spine of the bull, in the neck muscles. This affects the ability of the bull to lift his head and begins to bleed with the rotation movement and cutting of the spear. Then, "banderilleros" come up and distract the bull and jump his side, sticking "banderillas" -sticks with a harpoon in the tip- which are spiked in the back of the bull.(5) When the bull begins to feel weak from lack of blood, the banderilleros dizzy him, rounding in circles. Finally, the matador appears, provoking the attack of the exhausted 
bull, lashing out at her pink and yellow cape ("muleta"). Then, when he's exhausted and barely breathing, the matador kills him burying a 80 cm. sword in the chest.(6) If this fails, another man enters to stab the exhausted animal to death. The dagger ("descabello") is supposed to cut the spinal cord of the animal, but it is usual to fail, leaving the bull conscious but paralyzed while is chained by the horns and dragged out of the bullring.(7)
If the public is satisfied with the "slaughter of the matador", then he cuts the bull's ears and/or the tail, and the matador receives them as a trophy. A few minutes later, another bull enters the bullring alive, so the cycle of sadism and blood begins again. Six bulls killed on each day of "fiesta."
Bullfights are cowards. The matador has the choice to be there, but the bull doesn't. From the moment that they enter into the bullring, the bulls have no choice nor escape from this cruel death. First it was weakened by hunger, then they cut the muscles of his neck, begins to bleed, finally drowned in his own blood by the sword of the matador.
Opposition to bullfighting
Opposition to bullfights can be found in Spain and around the world. In April 2004, the Mayor of Barcelona declares it anti-bullfighting city in an effort to ban this bloody struggle. Since then, 38 Catalan municipalities have followed the motion, and the Catalan Parliament is debating a bill to expand the existing animal anti-cruelty law, to protect the bulls. According to the Gallup poll in October 2006, 72% percent of Spanish show no interest in bullfights, more than the 54% who enjoyed it in the '80s.(8) If Spain wants to increase the number of tourists, and if they want to be a modern and progressive country, they need to stop this senseless slaughter and cruel killing of animals for entertainment.
Horses in bullfighting
Bulls are not the only victims of bullfighting. The horses used in bullfights are blindfolded, and often have their ears covered (with newspaper or cloth) so they do not flee in terror when the bull lunges. It is also usual that the terrorized bull gores him, trying to defend or to seek an escape from the pain that causes the picador's lance. Each year, approximately 200 horses are killed in bullfights.(9)
Bloodless bullfighting (the Portuguese "corrida")
Despite its name, Portuguese bullfights are anything but "without blood." The bull is released into the bullring with the "banderillas" on the back, causing deep wounds and blood loss. Traumatized by the experience of pain, and with the banderillas stuck in the back, the bull is tormented by a group of eight "forcados", seven of whom hold the animal's head while one throws its tail, turning him until eventually the exhausted animal stops. Then the bull is led out of the bullring and left in the pens, bleeding to death waiting for his killing, which may be hours or days later.(10) (Photo credit: F. R. Morais)
References
1 Emma Daly, "Fears of Mad Cow Disease Reach Bullfighting Rings", The New York Times 11 Feb 2001.
2 "One-Fifth of Spain’s Fighting Bulls Drugged?" Reuters, 28 Nov 2000.
3 Al Goodman, “Machismo vs. Money: Whose Bull Is Gored?” The New York Times 9 Mar 1997: E6.
4 Goodman, op. cit.
5 Bill Lyon, "A Slaughter That Is Really a Slaughter", The Philadelphia Inquirer 27 Jul 1992: C1.
6 Tony Hendra, "Man and Bull", Harper’s Magazine Nov 1996: 69.
7 Lyon, op cit.
8 Fiona Govan, "Bullfighting's Future in Doubt", The Daily Telegraph 21 Dec 2006.
9 Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe, "Cheating Practises".
10 Comité Anti Stierenvechten, "Bullfighting in Portugal 'Touradas'".
