A law banning brutal bullfighting passed overwhelmingly in Mexico City on Tuesday, to the dismay of bullfighting fans and the joy of animal rights activists.
The bill, passed by 61 votes to 1, would ban the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects that could harm the animals.
In addition, the law introduces time limits on the amount of time bulls can spend in the arena, as part of the “bullfighting without violence” initiative.
The decision sparked violent protests from bullfighting supporters and matadors, some of whom tried to break through the police cordon outside the local Congress building.
Some of the protesters held signs that read: “Being a fan of la fiesta brava (bullfighting) is not a crime, it is a source of pride.”
Animal rights activists celebrated their victory, joined by Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada of the ruling Morena party, who said the decision would help make the Mexican capital a place “where animal rights are respected and cruelty or violence against them is not tolerated.”
Tuesday's vote appeared to be an attempt to broker a compromise between the two sides after years of wrangling.
Bullfighting is traditionally considered entertainment and a part of culture in Latin America, but it has been criticized for its cruelty, as bulls are often killed at the end of the fight.
Animal rights activists say about 180,000 bulls are killed in bullfights worldwide each year.
A tradition that has long drawn huge crowds to bullrings across Mexico hit a snag when a Mexico City judge banned the practice in June 2022, closing what had been called the world's largest bullfighting arena.
The judge ruled that bullfighting violates citizens' rights to a healthy, violence-free environment.
While animal rights activists celebrated it as a victory towards ending the bloody tradition, bullfighters said it had caused economic damage to the city.
Mexico's National Fighting Bull Breeders Association says bullfighting creates 80,000 direct and 146,000 indirect jobs across the country.
In 2023, Mexico's Supreme Court overturned the ban without explanation, allowing bullfighting arenas to once again fill with fans of the so-called “fiestas bravas.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
