I Hope The Bull’s OK

What’s that you say? What about the matador, Israel Lancho that looks like he’s in agonizing pain while being hoisted several feet in the air with a bull’s horn in his chest? Oh that? First, let’s break down bullfighting.

Few Spanish traditions divide opinion as much as bullfighting. For every bull aficionado willing to defend their art there are ten who see it as just cruelty to animals and want it banned – yet still the practice goes on.

Bullfighting is called a sport, or sometimes even an art. It is neither. It is animal cruelty disguised as entertainment. Ever wonder why the bull never wins? Spectators are led to believe the matadors are actually risking their lives. In reality, the bull has already been crippled and subdued in several ways and doesn’t stand a chance against its opponents.

Several hours before the fight, the bull is kept in a stall, deprived of light and water. They are separated from other bulls. This is traumatic for them as bulls are naturally herd animals. Many bullfighters have reported that the bulls are also beaten and injured prior to being released into the ring. Their horns are also sometimes shaved. This involves sawing off a few inches of the horns. Bulls depend on their horns to help them navigate and shaving impairs their ability to do this. Shaving is illegal, but many get away with it.

Bulls are sometimes stabbed and wounded before being released in the ring. After being released, he may be taunted by a group of humans who will frustrate him by forcing him to run in circles and collide.

Men called picadors approach the exhausted bull on horseback. These men drive lances into the bull’s neck and back, resulting in more injuries and blood loss and disabling him from lifting his neck or head. Picadors are usually not injured. Any injuries inflicted by the confused, exhausted bull are usually to the picador’s horse.

The matador appears next and provokes the injured, dying bull in to weak charges. He will attempt to kill the bull with a sword but it usually only results in injuring him and resulting in more pain and blood loss. During the final stage, an executioner is called in to kill the bull by slashing his spinal cord. This is for the benefit of the audiences, and sometimes the effort is not enough to kill the bull. It’s not uncommon for a tortured, paralyzed, conscious bull to be tied by his horns and dragged from the ring.

So back to my thoughts about the matador…¡Olé! MOTHER FUCKER!!! It’s poetic justice- too bad it doesn’t happen more often.

Lancho is in serious condition and is probably going to live, but I’m pretty sure that poor bull was put to sleep immediately after, just for defending himself. These pictures do not draw an ounce of sympathy from me. If anything, it makes me smile. Be still, my cold, black, barely beating heart.

Source Huffington Post

Posted by thuy