Central Spain’s Mataelpino has won the backing of animal rights campaigners after it voted to ditch its traditional running of the bulls festival for a more animal-friendly alternative – a ball run…
In scenes reminiscent of Indiana Jones, runners could be seen sprinting ahead of giant balls as they raced through the town’s cobbled streets on the way to the bull ring at the bottom of the hill.
The brightly coloured polystyrene balls might not be as threatening as an angry one-ton bull, but at least the event is safe for man and beast alike – even if it does dilute the adrenalin rush of the more typical bull runs found in Pamplona and elsewhere.
Last year, however, a number of locals and visitors were injured and gored during the festival, so when animal campaigners pressed the town hall to change the rules, it was an easy decision to make.
Town hall spokesman Tiago Cedillo was careful to remind runners that the balls involved in the festival could still do some damage if participants did not stay on their toes. “You still have to look out because some of those bigger balls can weigh 125kg and go pretty quickly.”
The lack of bulls has not harmed tourism intake, apparently, with Mataelpino’s town hall confirming that revenue for the festival has increased this year following the decision to dispense of live bulls. Additionally, children are now permitted to take part against some of the smaller balls.
“It was the tradition but it was a dying one,” said a local. “People don’t want to see frightened animals running for their lives any more. Many of the animals were hurt or traumatised and it wasn’t fair on them.”
0 Comments
Leave a Comment
DISCLAIMER
The opinions and comments expressed by contributors to this Blog are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of VIVA Homes Under the Sun Ltd, any of its associated companies, or employees; nor is VIVA to be held responsible or accountable for the accuracy of any of the information supplied.
Have you got something to say?