Viano do Castelo, the first anti-bullfighting municipality in Portugal, is being forced to host a bullfighting event today, August 19, 2012. Viano do Castelo town hall abolished bullfighting in 2009 due to animal rights concerns, and has not hosted a fight in their ring for three years.
Recently, Braga's Administrative Court decided that "the right to exercise a cultural right was being infringed," and set up a temporary bull ring in Viano do Castelo against the town hall's wishes. Organizers expect 2,800 attenders.
Most bulls involved in bullfights are killed, and horses ridden by cavalieros are injured when they clash with bulls. According to the BBC, about 2,500 bulls are killed per year in Portugal's bullfights.
Municipalities should have the right to ban bullfights if they so choose. Please sign the petition to urge Braga Administrative Court to stop forcing cities to hold bullfights in the future.
To: Braga Administrative Court
It has come to our attention that Viano do Castelo, the first anti-bullfighting municipality in Portugal, was forced to host a bullfighting event on August 19, 2012. As you know, Viano do Castelo town hall abolished bullfighting in 2009 due to animal rights concerns, and had not hosted a fight in their ring for three years.
We understand that Braga's Administrative Court decided that "the right to exercise a cultural right was being infringed," and set up a temporary bull ring in Viano do Castelo against the town hall's wishes. We do not believe that a perceived right to exercise a cultural right should trump a city's right to ban animal cruelty.
Most bulls involved in bullfights are killed, and horses ridden by cavalieros are injured when they clash with bulls. According to the BBC, about 2,500 bulls are killed per year in Portugal's bullfights.
Municipalities should have the right to ban bullfights if they so choose. We urge you to stop forcing cities to hold bullfights in the future. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
