The problem
The celebrations with bulls are a form of cruelty and violence
In the popular festivals of the towns of Spain, the bulls are immobilized, pulled with ropes, attacked, forced to run, thrown into the sea and light torches on their horns. Animals suffer falls, blows, intense suffering, and sometimes death.
The cruelest form of celebration is when balls impregnated with a flammable substance are placed in their horns and lit to see them run desperately.
Campaign
Ban cruel traditions!
We are carrying out the largest and most in-depth investigation of the more than 18,000 cruel events with animals that take place in Spain year after year, and which unfortunately are increasing. We want to bring to light the mistreatment that thousands of peoples hide in their festivities and traditions.
The ranches are endangering the future of bullfights, which have less and less support, and they see a growing business in popular festivities. We want to put an end to the cruel fiestas. Can you help us?
Investigation
How much public money is given to cruel traditions?
We present our research that shows for the first time the total number of towns that celebrate cruel festivals with bulls, how much public money is given to the organization of these events and the description of all the bullfighting modalities to which tens of thousands of animals are subjected each year.
Dinero público que se destina en
cada Comunidad Autónoma a festejos con toros (2019)
Ayuntamiento que más dinero público destina a festejos con toros:
185.787,55€
según sus propios presupuestos
Azuqueca de Henares
Guadalajara
Ayuntamiento que más dinero público per cápita destina a festejos con toros:
239,52€
por cada uno de sus 54 habitantes
Fuentelviejo
Guadalajara
Ayuntamiento que más festejos con toros realiza:
117
festejos que usan al menos 216 toros
Xàbia
Alicante
Provincia con mayor número festejos con toros:
4.398
festejos que utilizan 6.970 toros
Castellón
Com. Valenciana
Dinero público que se destina en
cada provincia de España a festejos con toros (2019)
Rope bulls
A bull is called a roped bull to the modality of popular bullfighting celebration consisting of the release in a locality of a cow with one or more ropes tied to its head to control its movements and attacks. The rope bull is probably the most atavistic spectacle and also the most distressing for the animal, being the one that limits its movements the most and for the longest time.
Fire bulls
Nearly 2,500 bulls are packed with fire every year in a large number of Spanish cities, all with the approval and subsidies of town halls, councils and regional governments, despite the fact that this practice entails intense suffering for the bull, a victim of exhaustion, blows, falls, as well as disorientation, fear and anguish.
Bulls in the sea
It is a modality that takes place in a square open to the sea located in the port or the beach of the town where it is held. There it is about the bull chasing the fans, who avoid their attacks by jumping into the sea and provoking the animal until it also falls into the water.
Running of the bulls
The release of bulls or running of the bulls are maintained as a custom in practically the entire territory and are common in patron saint festivities in most regions. It consists of a group of people running in front of a herd of 6 to 10 bulls, cows, steers or heifers.
Bullring bulls
It is about loose bulls in a ring, where they are persecuted, harassed and mocked by young men from the town.
Inform us of any cruel festival that takes place in your town or of which you are aware: bloodfiestas@animanaturalis.org
More than 2,500 bulls are turned into living torches in Spanish traditions every year
13 agosto 2025
While bullfighting is commonly associated with cape-and-sword corridas in arenas, the "toro embolado" (fire bull) is part of a wide spectrum of popular bull festivals where the animal isn't killed. Here we explain what they are and what we must do to end them.
Dénia once again the epicenter of animal cruelty with their 'Bous a la Mar'
14 julio 2025
On July 8th and 9th, investigators from AnimaNaturalis and CAS International documented one of the cruelest aspects of Dénia's local festivals: the 'bous a la mar' (bulls to the sea). This spectacle involves chasing young bulls and cows to force them off a purpose-built platform into the harbor waters. What is billed as tradition or entertainment becomes a hellscape for the animals – marked by sheer terror, physical blows, relentless heat, and utter exhaustion.
We expose the abuse of heifers in Sant Jaume d'Enveja
08 julio 2025
We visited Sant Jaume d'Enveja (Tarragona), one of the Catalan municipalities that organizes the most festivals, to expose the harassment and mockery that animals are subjected to in these popular celebrations.
The public attempt to prevent our team from filming Sant Jaume d'Enveja bull fiestas
06 julio 2025
While documenting a traditional "correbou" bull event in Sant Jaume d'Enveja (Tarragona), members of AnimaNaturalis – including its director Aïda Gascón – were assaulted and threatened. The footage reveals not only animal cruelty but also escalating violence against those working to expose it.
Historic suspension of the Toro Jubilo in Medinaceli marks a milestone in animal protection
04 diciembre 2024
The celebration of Medinaceli's Toro Jubilo, scheduled for November 16, has been suspended by the Administrative Litigation Court of Soria, ruling that tradition does not justify animal suffering. The measure, in response to an appeal by PACMA, underscores the legal protection of animals as sentient beings and highlights the progress of Spanish legislation on animal welfare.
Sokamuturra: A tradition questioned for animal suffering
09 octubre 2024
Although Sokamuturra remains a traditional event in various towns across the Basque Country, animal rights advocates denounce the suffering inflicted on the bulls during these spectacles. Is it time to rethink this custom?
¡Acabemos con la crueldad hacia los toros!
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2025, AnimaNaturalis Internacional, organización iberoamericana para la defensa de los derechos de todos los animales. 