Bullfighting Needs to Stop Now
“250,000 bulls are killed in stadiums each year for the fun of bullfighting”(League Against Cruel Sports). “Bullfighting is a tradition that dates back to 711, when Spain's royal court celebrated the coronation of King Alfonso VII”(Issues and Controversies). In this practice bulls are put in an arena in front of crowds of people. First, the matador encourages the bull to attack him with his red cape. Then, he weakens the bull by using lances and darts that are driven into the bulls flanks. Finally, when the bull is weak the matador slices its neck with a sword to kill the bull. Throughout this whole performance the bull suffers from extreme pain and anxiety from the wound in its body. Due to the inhumane practice of killing the bull in bullfights countries should eliminate this sport.
Torturing these bulls for the enjoyment of the show needs to be stopped. Bullfighting is not the only sport that forces animals to fight for their lives to please the audiences. Allowing this to continue opens the door for other cruel sports to go on in the world. “Until the mid-nineteenth century in countries such as Great Britain, a full range of animals was used in baiting contests: donkeys, tigers, bulls, horses, bears, monkeys, lions, and even boars in some rare cases”(Issues and Controversy). If this isn’t stop these sports people will believe that treating these animals with cruelty is normal. Also, if this isn't stopped more games could arise that harm animals. Eliminating bullfighting could start a trend to stop other cruel animal sports such as, dog, and cock fighting. Both of these fighting sports are a big problem in the United States today. A solution is needed to get rid of bullfighting.
To stop this t...
... middle of paper ...
...ormed the reader about the evils of this sport so the reader can help in the act of banning bullfighting everywhere. Torturing these bulls and killing them is not needed to make this culture enjoyable. Make sure to share this information with others so this issue will gain more popularity saving bulls in return. These animals do not deserve to die in a ring with crowds cheering this act on. They deserve to die in peace. If we can get this sport to end we will be saving the lives of 250,000 bulls each year.
Works Cited
"Bullfighting." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 25 Oct. 2010. Web.
20 Feb. 2014. .
"Bullfighting Campaign 2013." Animal Welfare Charity: Campaigning to End Cruelty to
Animals for Sport. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. .
Pit bulls are believed to have originated in the late 1700’s, when the terriers, typically small dogs bred to catch vermin, were crossbred with bulldogs, a stockier dog whose duty was to catch stray cattle. This produced a dog with a high prey drive with a medium-sized, stocky build and powerful jaws. Contrary to popular belief, the dogs were originally used in the sport of bull-baiting, where dogs would attack the cattle - not other dogs. Since the sport was executed in a pit, the dogs were dubbed ‘pit bulls’ and that name has stuck since. When the sport was banned in 1835, the people who relied on these dogs for an income turned the dogs against each other.
...ports Illustrated cover photo of a pit bull (Pit Bull Rescue Central, "Breed Information”). Dog fighting made a comeback during the 1980s and the pit bull became the favorite macho dog for dog fighters. The dogs were trained to kill or be killed. Pit bulls were also the preferred guard dog for gangs, thugs and criminals. Since the supporters and detractors of pit bulls hold such disparate opinions regarding the ferocity of the breeds, it is only hoped that further discussion and education will help resolve the sad fate that awaits these unfortunate animals. Simply placing all the blame on the breeds will not solve the problems of dog fighting, overbreeding, aggressive training, and excessive euthanizations. Lastly, the biased, sensationalistic publicity of horrific dog attacks which has destroyed the reputation of the once beloved All American Dog must cease.
A matador is a bullfighter whose task is to kill the bull. Although most may think Matadors are men, there are also many women who have become matadors and are killing bulls for a living as well. The matador wears a ceremonial outfit called traje de luces, or suit of lights and a montera, which is a traditional folk hat. The red cape that the bullfighters wave is a muleta and the sword used to kill the bull is called the estoque. Six bulls are to be killed by three matadors during the bullfight. Each encounter lasts about 15 minutes. The three matadors, each followed by their assistants, the banderilleros and the picadors march into the ring to the accompaniment of traditional march rhythm music. When a bull first comes into the arena out of the bullpen gate, the matador greets it with a series of manoeuvres or passes, with a large cape. Fighting bulls charge instantly at anything that moves because of their natural instinct. Unlike domestic bulls they do not have to be trained to charge nor are they starved or tortured to make them savage. Ticket prices for bullfights can range from just a few euros to over 100 euros, depending on the seating area. Shaded areas (Sombra) happen to be more expensive than sunny ones (Sol). However, the better or more popular fights, and especially those during the San Isidro festival, are often sold-out almost
Because of this involvement, Vick was suspended from football. Dogfighting is not taken lightly because it is known as animal abuse. Humans torture dogs, and force them to fight one another in a ring for the owners and viewers enjoyment. Certain people tend get entertained by this, causing those running it to get a nice paycheck. However, if they have such a significant comparison, then why is Michael Vick getting suspended from football? This question enables “similar doubts about his own sport” (Gladwell 53).
Americans have been debating the morality of euthanizing animals for decades, including an impassioned argument about the quickness to kill the Pit Bull breed. Advocates that support euthanization of pit bulls use their aggression and danger to justify the killings. The perception of danger is not based in reality, but rather comes from media exposure. Most pit bulls do not exhibit aggressive behavior and those that do are trained to do so by irresponsible owners. Euthanization is disproportionately higher for pit bulls, and similar breeds, despite a lack of evidence that they are more aggressive than other dogs. Euthanization of pit bulls is not justified because pit bulls are not naturally aggressive, have an inaccurate reputation from media coverage, and do not present any greater danger than other dog breeds that are euthanized at lower rates.
When the American Pit Bull is discussed, the subject of nature versus nurture is often the primary topic. Over the last ten to twenty years, thoughts have changed greatly in respect to dog fighting. Throughout history, several different types of dogs have been used for dogfighting. Ancient Romans had displays of dog fights, as well as gladiators, in their great arenas long before the bully breed ever came into existence (Hsu & Sun, 2010). Thankfully, society has evolved, and so has the ideas behind the fight of dogs. Fighting is no longer thought of as just a game or entertainment by the majority of humans. The descendants of those various animals once used so barbarically, have now evolved to be therapy dogs, service dogs, and beloved family pets (Preis, 2014).
...like a tragedy but later on in the novel it is treated as a victory in the bull fighting vignettes. When the matador faces off with the bull, usually the bull is killed and in that culture is hailed as the victor.
“Furthermore what the crowd honors is the victor, tossing him flowers and gifts, which he gracious returns, it is no mans victory over the animal, for the bull is always defeated; it is man’s victory over ignorance, fear, necessity. Man has made his victory a spectacle, so that it may become a victory of all those watching him and recognizing themselves in it” (Barthes, 2007). This is a very interesting paragraph from ‘bullfighting’ by Barthes. It proposes that bullfighting is never fait because the bulls can never win, and that the joy in the ‘sport’ comes from realization that man is greater that beast. This paper will analyze this paragraph using two opposing books for reference, ‘death in the afternoon’ by Ernest Hemingway and ‘on bullfighting’ by A. L Kennedy.
Pit bulls and several other breeds of dogs that are thought to be overly aggressive and violent are being banned in cities and towns. Are pit bulls a dangerous breed or are they just like any other dog? Many people believe that they are in fact dangerous and aggressive by nature but this is not true. Pitt bulls are being falsely accused for being a violent breed and because of the negative aspects associated with the breed, such as dog fights and vicious attacks, they are being unfairly targeted in breed specific bans.
The world seems to believe that the American Pit Bull Terrier is a vicious breed of dog, violent and ruthless by nature, and that they should be treated as such. However, what if this stereotype about the pit bull that modern society bases their opinions off of, is an improper representation of the breed? The pit bull faces much hatred and neglect in this day and age, but in their prime, the pit bull was considered to be the perfect dog. Although bred for physique and stature that was perfect in the dog-fighting world, the pit bull grew in popularity and became high demand as a man’s best friend. However, that reputation that once made the pit bull one of the most popular and iconic breeds of dog, seems to have been forgotten over the years, and replaced with the idea that they are ruthless attack dogs bred to kill. This stereotype and the specifics that go along with it have brought the name of the pit bull down to it’s knees, making the breed vulnerable to neglect, abuse, violence and many other awful acts that are deemed inhumane, but seem to go unnoticed and unreported because of the breed that is subject to these despicable acts. What if all the incidents and accidents and attacks you hear and read about in the news are only snippets of the true story? What if the breed is nothing like the monsters many believe they are?
... rodeo as cruel and abusive. But the rodeo today is changing with the hope of getting better. The bucking and roping stock are treated as prized animals. They even have their own bucking champions. The solution to any kind of animal abuse is in the continued scrutiny of the sport by the PRCA. As the sport evolves and the animals become more valuable it should cause better care for the animals.
Circuses portray animals as talented and well-behaved beings, but behind closed doors, the animals are placed in pain and misery to perform the demeaning acts. Animals suffer without the publics’ knowledge of such torture. Laws protect these animals but are not sturdy enough to stop the overall sadness of the animals.
Dogfighting is a “sport” that pits two well trained dogs against each other in a fights until one dog cannot fight anymore. Dogs are often killed at these events, because some dogs are ruthless because their owners have trained them to kill. The fights last, on average, one to two hours, and can leave marks forever. Spectators are able to bet on which dog will win. Currently, dogfighting is a felony offense in all 50 states, and is a federal offense as well. Not only can the instigators of the fights be charged, but all spectators can be charged as well. Dogfighting was brought to the sports world in 2007, when star quarterback Michael Vick was found guilty of having a dogfighting organization and hanging 3 dogs for “not performing well in ‘testing’ sessions”. In 2001, Vick and 3 friends, Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips, and Tony Taylor started an organization which they called, “Bad Newz Kennel”. Vick also started his NFL career that year, and played for the Atlanta Falcons. When he got convicted in 2007, Vick was sentenced to 21 months in prison and 2 months in home confinement. Dog fighting may injure the dogs forever. For example, Georgia, a pitbull involved in “Bad Newz Kennels”, had her jaw broken at one time during a fight and her tongue is still messed up. Her tail also zigzags, and she has no teeth, they were all pried out of her mouth. Animal Rights would help Georgia and dogs involved in fights all around the country, so they know that they are safe [ALDF]. There are approximately more than 100,00 people in the U.S. involved in dogfighting. That number needs to cut down if the world is going to be a better place for people and animals to grow up in. That is why Animal Rights should occur more heavily in the
Animal cruelty dates back farther than many of us think. Learning To Give has used sources such as the ASPCA, the American Humane Society, and a veterinary forensics symposium to verify that dog fighting as a sport began as far back as the twelfth century. Dog fighting continued across Europe for several centuries until the baiting of larger animals was strictly prohibited in 1835. Dog-on-dog combat became a cheaper alternative and was exported to various other countries, including the United States (Learning To Give). This peg in history was only the beginning, as we see many forms of abuse today.
The article “Animals Used as Entertainment” lists rodeos, circuses, bullfighting, horse racing, cockfighting, dog fighting, and zoos as examples of the many ways animals are used in entertainment. Circuses and zoos are the two most relevant forms of animal mistreatment. Both of these are sources of entertainment for children and adults. Zoos declare that the...