malaga
Images of youths ill-treating a young bull prior to its death have shocked thousands of internet users and TV viewers
04.06.10 - 10:48 -
This year’s Alhaurín el Grande fair ended in controversy after the death of a calf during the traditional ‘bull run’ on Monday morning put the organisation of the festival under scrutiny and could lead to legal action. While a vet confirmed that the cause of death had been a blow to the head when the calf collided with another young bull, video footage shows how the animal was ill-treated by a group of youths before it died. Alhaurín el Grande town hall has stated that similar bull runs will not be permitted in future years. “When the authorities can’t control a public event, it’s best to ban it and that is what we are going to do”, said the mayor, Juan Martín Serón.
The events were recorded on video by animal rights activists from the Colectivo Andaluz Contra el Maltrato Animal y Medioambiental. The footage, showing youths kicking the animal, pulling its tail, twisting its neck and pushing it around, has been broadcast by a number of national television channels and on internet, sparking condemnation from the regional and provincial authorities.
The Junta de Andalucía has ordered an enquiry into the organisation of the event to establish whether minimum security requirements had been respected. The regional authority has also referred the matter to the Public Prosecution Department to ascertain whether there is evidence of criminal offence and has urged the Guardia Civil to identify the youths who took part in the maltreatment of the animal.
The president of the animal rights group, Antonio Moreno, announced on Tuesday that his legal team was studying filing four reports to denounce the offences that they believe were committed on Monday, not just by the youths involved, but also by the organisers of the festival and even the vets at the bullring. “The ‘fiestas populares’ decree specifies that no harm must be done to the animals but there was nobody there to prevent this from happening”, he said.
Moreno added that the youths could face fines of between 300 and 30,000 euros for cruelty to animals. he also suggested that they be obliged to do community service with animal welfare organisations.
Meanwhile, following the nationwide exposure given to the event, a group of local young people have issued a manifesto expressing their criticism of the incident to prevent the name of Alhaurín el Grande from being associated with animal cruelty.
