Im pretty sure it wasn't just a Roman thing. Animal fights have always been part of the iberian celtic religions. Im all for ending the unnecessary suffering of animals but it goes beyond that of the roman era.
The way this is worded makes it sound like the owner was executed and I feel that’s a better outcome than the bull being executed. These bull fights seriously need to stop because it’s so cruel.
Spain! Stop this now! You are the judas of nature with your bullfighting. And countries with whaling and seal killing and and and - you are all damned.
I'd want it to stop, but many people claim it's part of our cultural heritage. Small changes did occur, such as one judge ruled that one city couldn't kill its bull after their local party is done
I've only seen one website that claims this is an activist, not the owner, but it doesn't actually say anything about the picture besides that.
https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bull-fighting
It does have this to say, however (discretion advised):
"The bull is not an aggressive animal, and the reason he is angry and attempts to charge at the matador whilst in the bullring is mainly because he has been horrendously abused for the previous two days. In fact, what spectators see is not a normal, healthy bull, but a weakened, half-blinded and mentally destroyed version, whose chances of harming his tormentors is virtually nil.
'
The bull has wet newspapers stuffed into his ears; vaseline is rubbed into his eyes to blur his vision; cotton is stuffed up his nostrils to cut off his respiration and a needle is stuck into his genitals.
'
Also, a strong caustic solution is rubbed onto his legs which throws him off balance. This also keeps him from lying down on the ground. In addition to this, drugs are administered to pep him up or slow him down, and strong laxatives are added to his feed to further incapacitate him. (Cont)
He is kept in a dark box for a couple of days before he faces the ring: the purpose of this is to disorientate him.
'
When he is let out of the box, he runs desperately towards the light at the end of the tunnel. He thinks that at last his suffering is over and he is being set free — instead, he runs into the bullring to face his killers and a jeering mob.”
'
This, of course, is the lucky bulls that aren't set on fire as part of the brave "bullfighting."
'
'
So, while I can't confirm 100% that the story of this particular person in the photo is as stated, I'm not sure anyone's "knee-jerk reaction" to the situation itself is unwarranted
If they have to keep their blood sports, at least make it fair. Man with spear or blade against healthy bull. If the bull wins, it's honored and lives out it's days in comfort. Of course, the bullfighter can't forfeit. The bull doesn't have that choice. He can lie down or run away and hope he's spared. One on one, of course.
https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bull-fighting
"The bull is not an aggressive animal, and the reason he is angry and attempts to charge at the matador whilst in the bullring is mainly because he has been horrendously abused for the previous two days. In fact, what spectators see is not a normal, healthy bull, but a weakened, half-blinded and mentally destroyed version, whose chances of harming his tormentors is virtually nil.
'
The bull has wet newspapers stuffed into his ears; vaseline is rubbed into his eyes to blur his vision; cotton is stuffed up his nostrils to cut off his respiration and a needle is stuck into his genitals.
'
Also, a strong caustic solution is rubbed onto his legs which throws him off balance. This also keeps him from lying down on the ground. In addition to this, drugs are administered to pep him up or slow him down, and strong laxatives are added to his feed to further incapacitate him. (Cont)
'
When he is let out of the box, he runs desperately towards the light at the end of the tunnel. He thinks that at last his suffering is over and he is being set free — instead, he runs into the bullring to face his killers and a jeering mob.”
'
This, of course, is the lucky bulls that aren't set on fire as part of the brave "bullfighting."
'
'
So, while I can't confirm 100% that the story of this particular person in the photo is as stated, I'm not sure anyone's "knee-jerk reaction" to the situation itself is unwarranted