CAS International
CAS International (Comité Anti Stierenvechten) is the biggest organization in the world which works exclusively on the abolition of bullfighting and cruel fiestas (festivals) during which bulls and other animals are tortured. Together with our colleague organizations, we want to end this animal abuse as soon as possible.
More information about CAS International.
Bullfighting
Bullfighting is one of the most cruel forms of animal abuse. Every year, more than 250,000 bulls and cows are tortured and killed worldwide during bullfights and similar events.
Also during fiestas ('village festivals'), tens of thousands of bulls and other animals are severely maltreated.
More information about bullfighting and fiestas.
Horses in bullfighting
Often people forget that bulls are not the only animals that suffer during bullfighting events. Horses and mules are also involved in many bullfighting activities in different ways, and just because they are not the intended victims of the bullfighting rituals, it does not mean that their use does not cause them suffering, either by design or by accident. Following are the five types of activities where horses are involved in bullfighting and similar events:
1. Ridden by the bullfighters during Rejoneos or Touradas.
2. Ridden by the picador during classic Spanish style bullfighting.
3. Pulling the collapsed bull out of the arena during Spanish style bullfighting.
4. Testing cattle on bullfighting bulls farms.
5. Ridden by the public during cruel fiestas.
- The tortured bull gores a horse.
1. Ridden by the bullfighters during Rejoneos or Touradas
During both the Spanish style bullfights called rejoneos and in all the Portuguese style bullfights (touradas), the main bullfighter rides a horse that has been specially trained to avoid the charging bull. In fact, the rider does not ride one horse, but several, since the idea is to exhaust the bull by making him chase the horse (who is faster), and in order to accomplish this the horses need to be replaced by 'fresh ones' every few minutes.
The suffering of the horses during these bullfights is caused by three things. First, the severe training they have to undergo (often involving pain) to learn to respond so quickly to the rider’s instructions aimed to avoid the bull or approach him in a particular manner. Second, the injuries caused on their sides by the intense and repeated use of the rider’s spurs during the bullfight, which often leaves a noticeable bloody mark. Third, the accidents that may occur when the bull actually catches the horse, which in the case of the rejoneo, and in some cases of touradas (since despite the norm, during some exceptional touradas, the bull’s horns are not covered with a leather cup), may lead to severe injuries and even death.
Tips for tourists
CAS International has made a list of tips for tourists, so you can also help us abolish bullfighting and other cruel events with bulls and other animals as a tourist.
The main tip: never go to a bullfight or a cruel fiesta, like the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona!
Please take a look here for more tips.
Videos
Videos of bullfights, cruel fiestas and protests of CAS International and others.
- Flash is required!
Photo album
In the CAS photo album, you can find photos of protests, bullfighting and cruel fiestas.
CLICK HERE for the photo album.
