A ‘Bloodless’ Portuguese Bullfight Ended When a Bullfighter Was Gored to Death
A bullfighter’s death in Portugal serves as a stark reminder that there is no such thing as a ‘bloodless’ bullfight. The 22-year-old bullfighter, Manuel Maria Trindade, was killed during his debut show at Lisbon’s Campo Pequeno, but this never should have happened.
Trindade was a forçado whose “job” was to provoke a bull into charging. During the pega de cara or “face catch” performance, Trindade baited the bull into charging at him so he could latch onto the bull’s horns. But when Trindade grabbed his horns, the bull did what any one of us would do if someone were attacking us. He defended himself. The bull hoisted Trindade into the air and threw him against the arena’s wall. Trindade was rushed to a hospital, but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Portuguese Bullfighting Is Not ‘Bloodless’
Portuguese bullfights claim to be “bloodless” because the bull is not killed during the fight, but the bull is still stabbed repeatedly with barbed lances. Once the bull is weakened, eight forçados line up to wrestle the bull into submission. There is plenty of bloodshed. Plus, the bull is still killed—just outside the arena in a slaughterhouse.
Bullfights Must Be Banned—Will You Help Make It Happen?
Bulls are curious, social, and protective of their families. These sensitive animals feel pain, fear, and suffering when humans torture and kill them for “entertainment.”
Thankfully, attitudes toward bullfighting are shifting. In Spain, 84% of young people don’t support bullfighting, and 73% of Mexicans consider it animal abuse. It’s time for legislators to do right by bulls and prohibit this blood sport. If you’re in Mexico, contact your representatives and urge them to support a nationwide bullfighting ban. Never attend a bullfight, and urge your friends and family to do the same.
