Mexico City bans violence in bullfights: a key step toward ending them
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Mexico City bans violent bullfights, a step forward in the recognition of animal sentience. World Animal Protection welcomes the measure, but calls for a ban on the use of bulls and cows in shows.
Mexico City has taken a historic step by approving a reform banning violence and death in bullfights. This measure, approved by the local Congress, represents a significant advance in the recognition of animal sentience and animal rights.
At World Animal Protection, we welcome this decision as a step in the right direction. However, we believe it is essential to continue moving toward ending the use of bulls in these types of shows.
Despite the ban on physical violence, bulls are still exposed to great suffering during transport and in shows, where noise, crowds, and stress cause them great harm.
Roberto Vieto, Animal Welfare Advisor at World Animal Protection, says:
The approval of non-violent bullfights is an important step forward, but we cannot ignore the suffering that bulls still endure in these events.
"Transportation, stress, and exposure to noisy and stressful environments remain serious problems.
"Therefore, we urge the authorities and Mexican society to work together to achieve a total ban on bullfighting.
"Bulls, cows, and calves are not objects of entertainment and deserve dignified treatment."
The reform approved in Mexico City establishes that bullfights, bullfights for young bulls, and bullfights for rejoneo must be conducted "without violence," prohibiting injuries, death, and the use of sharp objects.
It also limits the time each bull can perform to ten minutes.
A global movement to end bullfighting and corridas
This decision joins a global movement seeking to end the exploitation of bulls in shows. More and more countries and regions have banned this practice due to its inherent cruelty and the growing demand for ethical treatment of animals.
At World Animal Protection, we urge authorities to continue working to protect animals and consider a complete ban on bullfighting.
We believe it is possible to find entertainment alternatives that respect the lives and well-being of animals.
