AnimaNaturalis, in collaboration with CAS International, has filed an administrative complaint with the Directorate of Gaming and Spectacles of the Basque Government regarding a sokamuturra (a type of bull event) held in Pasai Donibane (Pasaia), in the province of Gipuzkoa, on July 31st. During the event, a heifer fell into the sea in an unprotected section of the route, located next to the dock where the boat to San Pedro operates.
The incident took place during the Santiago festivities, in an area known for its danger, with documented precedents: a similar fall occurred there in 2014. Despite this, no preventive measures or containment barriers had been taken, and the festival was not suspended after the accident, constituting a direct violation of the Regulation for Traditional Bull Spectacles of the Basque Country.
According to eyewitnesses and audiovisual material published by Noticias de Gipuzkoa, the heifer fell into the sea in front of the present public and had to be rescued by local residents and shepherds who jumped into the water. No technical assessment was carried out regarding the animal's condition or the safety conditions of the event.
"We are facing a very serious violation of the regulations", states Cristina Ibáñez, lawyer for AnimaNaturalis. "Basque regulations clearly state that in cases of serious risk, officials must suspend the spectacle immediately. However, here the event continued as if nothing had happened, endangering the animal and the attendees." "And it's not just that prevention measures were omitted: it's that there were already precedents of the same risk in that very location. That makes the negligence even more unacceptable", emphasizes Ibáñez.
The facts could constitute a very serious infringement for holding the spectacle under conditions that created a situation of serious risk, breaching the authorization and safety measures, in addition to a serious infringement for endangering the safety and integrity of participants and animals. The applicable fines could be up to €150,253.03 (approx. $163,000 USD).
We have requested the opening of a disciplinary proceeding and an evaluation of the responsibility of the organizers, as well as the authorities who failed to act to suspend the festival.
"Spectacles with animals cannot be allowed to continue without minimum safety guarantees. When lives are at stake (human or animal), institutional passivity is not an option", concludes Cristina Ibáñez.
