JÁVEA TOLD TO CUT THE BULL
Campaign to ban Bous a la mar gets global backing – and expats talking
A PETITION on Change.org calling for Jávea to ban its bous a la mar 'festival' has been handed to the town hall by an Alicante animal-lover.
Carmen Córdoba says her campaign has 'gone round the world' in the last two months and 'even people from Japan' have signed, although the majority of its 65,645 supporters are Spanish.
“We're fed up with animal cruelty,” the young woman announces.
Bous a la mar, currently taking place in Jávea, involves a bull or a young cow being let loose in a port-side ring and spectators entering freely to goad the animal into falling in the sea.
CBNews asked Jávea's expats for their views on the subject.
'Tradition' first
“I don't like the idea of bulls being driven into the sea - or any other kind of animal intimidation - but it is a Spanish tradition and therefore one which I do not feel I should try to change,” says Ian Rogerson of Jávea U3A.
“I won't be watching it, but let's leave the Spanish to do their thing.”
“I have run with the bulls many times and bous a la mar has to be my favourite – the bulls chase you, not the other way around and it's a good thrill - many people enjoy watching it too,” says Michael Ryan.
“It's a national tradition and should be left alone,” agrees Dan Dare.
'Tradition' no excuse
Just because it's a tradition doesn't make it right, say Theresa Rawlinson and Dani Sáez Samper, and Mary Parry adds that many 'traditions' have been banned ' because we are now more enlightened'.
“Why torment an innocent animal? It's so cruel,” she wonders.
Supporting their views, Jill Thompson points out that the 'hanging of unwanted hunting hounds' is also a 'tradition'; Kelly Tyler adds that other 'traditions' elsewhere in the world include 'genital mutilation in Sudan, anti-homosexual laws in Russia and Jamaica, girls banned from participating in sports in Saudi Arabia and eight-year-old brides in Yemen', and Dani Sáez adds slavery to the list.
'Outdated and cruel'
“We're in the 21st century now; there's no need for it,” states Chris Fields, and Emma Thompson (not the actress) believes bous a la mar is 'ridiculous, outdated and barbaric'.
“Fun? I don't think bull-running can be considered fun for the bulls,” adds John Parfitt.
“And bull-fighting is just repugnant. How anyone can consider watching an animal goaded and stabbed to death as sport or art is beyond me. Fortunately, it's slowly being banned in Spain.”
Lorraine Wylde had just returned from Jávea port, where the bous are ongoing.
“We saw an enclosed, caged stadium and idiots tormenting a young bull which was chasing them. I felt like pushing every last one of them into the sea,” she admits.
“I feel utter contempt for anyone who gets their jollies from tormenting an animal. I know the world can be a very hard place for humans, but why extend that to animals?
“As for the argument of, 'oh, well, it's what they do in Spain', accompanied by a nonchalant shrug as they hunt for the near- est cheap bar, doesn't contribute anything to overturning these barbarisms.”
Mike van Essen says ' nobody would do it to their dog', but that 'somehow doing it to a bull is okay', whilst Keith Nelson says bull-running is 'cruel' and Ursula Martín admits she 'dislikes any festival which involves bulls'.
Can it be justified?
Theresa recalls reports of bulls drowning, but concedes: “As a rule, I think bull-running and bous a la mar are a lesser evil than bull-fighting.”
“Being a former cattle farm worker, horse riding instructor, groom and vet nurse, I believe it all depends upon the care given to the animals,” Jenny Gilbert thinks.
“Some people look after their animals better than they do their own families.
“I love all animals, but some are bred for certain purposes, others as pets, and some are left in the wild.”
“Bous a la mar is a massive tourist attraction and brings in a lot of money, so there needs to be an alternative so that the hotels, bars and restaurants do not lose out,” argues Sarah Farrell, who runs the tourism portal Destination Alicante.
“Someone suggested inflatable running bulls, which looks like great fun and everyone can join in. But then, these bulls are specially bred for bull-running, so what happens to them if it's banned?”
Sarah agrees the answer lies in finding 'entertaining but ethical' ways of using bulls for spectacles which provide the bravado without the bloodshed – a view already expressed by Valencia city mayor Joan Ribó (Compromís).