Despite Centuries of Tradition, Most Mexicans Oppose Bullfights The News
go to original September 4, 2014

An activist from the animal rights group AnimaNaturalis holds a placard that reads "Stop! No More Bullfighting" as fellow activists lie covered in mock blood during a protest against bullfighting in Mexico City. (China Daily)

Although 65.6 percent of Mexicans disapprove of bullfighting, the activity’s supporters passionately defend it. The tradition is currently up for debate in some states in the republic.

Originated in the 18th century, bullfighting is already prohibited in some municipalities; while in others the practice is protected as a historic and cultural heritage.

In Aguascalientes, for example, bullfighting is considered an immaterial cultural patrimony, as of Oct. 2011, with other states such as Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Querétaro and Tlaxcala following suit.

On the other hand, on May 3, 2013, the Sonoran government enacted a law for the protection of animals, which prohibits the awarding of permits, licenses and any other type of municipal authorization that allow for bullfighting, making Sonora the first Mexican entity to prohibit any action of this kind.

In Mexico City, for example, the mistreatment of animals is considered a crime, although bullfighting, as well as cockfighting, are allowed due to an exception in Article 25 of its Animal Protection Law. Its recent approval has drawn criticism from animal rights activists.

In spite of the legal entities that protect the sport for its historical, sociological, or philosophical value, only 24.8 percent of Mexicans consider the event a “very rooted” tradition, according to the most recent poll by the Strategic Communication Committee (GCE).

In addition, 80 percent see the event as a mistreatment of animals, 65.6 percent are in favor of its prohibition and 64 percent of the 800 polled would even attend a protest in favor of its prohibition.

At the same time, 61 percent have never attended a bullfight; 17.1 percent have seen them on TV and 21.5 percent have seen a bullfight live.

However, 51.4 percent of those polled believe that if the lawmakers had to choose to either prohibit or protect the bullfights, the senators and congressmen would vote to make this the activity a cultural heritage.

Read the rest at The News

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