 |
 |
International campaign for "fire bulls" without cruelty in CataloniaCampaña
internacional por unos 'toros de fuego' sin crueldad en Cataluña
|
 |
 |
 |
Reason for the campaign
Many Europeans consider Catalonia to be the most civilized region
of Spain with regard to its treatment of animals. However, in reality
this is still not true. In the South of Catalonia, in the Tierras
del Ebro (Baix Ebre and Montsià, in las Terres de l'Ebre, Tarragona)
spectacles are still carried out which are called "bous embolats"
or "fire bulls". Live animals are used and are severely
mistreated from the beginning of the spectacle, when a rope is tied
to their head to control them, their head is then tied to a post,
huge balls with highly inflammable material are attached close to
their horns, as well as fireworks. Finally the balls are set on fire,
the flames surround the head of the animal, which it tries to shake
it off. Apart from that the fireworks emit streams of fire.
These spectacles are prohibited in the autonomous comunities/provinces of Madrid, Basque Country, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalucía etc. Yet in the "civilized" Catalonia they continue.
Apart from the "fire bulls" in the same area of Southern Catalonia there are festivities known as "capllaçats" or "bulls on a rope" (ropes are attached to their horns and they are dragged through the streets). All this shows, that Catalonia still has to do its "homework" as far as the treatment of animals is concerned.
"Fire Bulls" made from cardboard and plaster
On the other hand in the very same Catalonia, in the town of Mataró (Barcelona) there is a bullfighting tradition without cruelty to animals. These are events, where the "fire bulls" are not living animals but are made from cardboard and plaster. People operate them and the population of the region of El Maresme enjoys it just as much.This is the traditional 'correfoc', also known as 'La Momerota' and ‘La Momeroteta de Mataró’. We have included some pictures of this event here is an example. For more pictures go to www.momerota.org, (click link ‘figures’). We congratulate the organizers of this spectacle and of the towns, where no animals are used in 'the toros de fuego'.
The campaign has two aims:
1. To expose internationally these barbaric practices that are still carried out with animals in southern Catalonia.
2. To urge Catalan, Spanish and world citizens to ask the Government of Catalonia to immediately ban not only the "fire bulls" spectacles during which the animals are tortured without pity, but also the "bulls on a rope", that are dragged through the streets by ropes on their horns.
Please send the following sample or your own letter to the people in charge of the Environment, Interior and Festivities:
E-mails:
- President de la Generalitat:president@gencat.net
- Sr. Conseller en cap: consellerencap.presidencia@gencat.net, consellerencap.dcc@gencat.net
- Conseller de Medi Ambient: consellermila@gencat.net
- Consellera d'Interior: conselleratura@gencat.net
- Director General del Medi Natural: dgmn.dmah@gencat.net
- Director General del Joc i d'Espectacles: dgje.interior@gencat.net
- cc: info@anti-corrida.de
Sample
|
Sr. President de la Generalitat Nombre: |
|
Translation: Dear Sirs, I have been informed that in the South of Catalonia in the
Ebro Region the animals used in the spectacles called "bous
embolats" ("fire bulls") and "capllaçats"
("bulls on a rope") are severely mistreated. This
contradicts the idea of a civilized Catalonia. For this reason
I support the campaign of ANPBA, FAACE, IAC and Animal 2000
and ask that these spectacles are banned before the beginning
of the bullfighting season 2005, by means of a "Resolution"
in accordance with the Catalan law 22/2003 for the protection
of animals. Its article 6.2b prohibits that during the "correbous"
events the animals are injured, because these events are extremely
cruel to the animals. I ask that instead of live animals, simulations
of animals are used, like in Mataró and many other places
in Spain, where they have had spectacles with animals and they
have made these substitutions to comply with their respective
legislations. |
Join FAACE
today and become part of the solution
Together we can make a REAL
difference
Welcome | News | FAACE | Campaigns | Blood
Fiestas | Bullfighting | Rodeo |
Vicki
Hare Coursing | Quail
Shooting | Spanish
Hunting Dogs | Links |
How To Help | e-mail
FAACE ·
29 Shakespeare Street · Southport · Merseyside · PR8 5AB
· UK
+44 (0)1704 535922 · action@faace.co.uk
Web Site & Contents ©2001 FAACE