Re: Bullfighter PWNED by Bull! *warning graphic*
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's a complicated issue for some folks. I would think any hunter who wears camo, uses scent masking sprays, buck or doe pee, food plots, bait cans, waits in tree stands to shoot a deer, elk or bear with a high powered rifle, or a bow, would not be so critical of cultures that allow brave people to make their way out of peasantry into fame and station by closing in to kill an animal so central to their culture. The ring bulls are respected. There is no joy in their torment.
Certainly, without the Picador, and then the Toreadors, preparing the bull, all at some risk to themselves and the horses, the bulls would nearly always kill or severely injure the Matador. As it is, the Matador has a difficult task. One, if done poorly, results in prolonged suffering of the bull and disapproval of the spectators.
Most folks don't realize the numbers of horses that get nailed when the Picador's are on the lance.
It's a complicated ritual. I've never been to a bullfight but have always been fascinated by it and the cultures the sport has evolved in.
Beside Spain and Mexico, Portugal, France, and several South American countries also practice some form of Bull fighting. </div></div>
Here in the UK, there used toa "sport" known as "badger baiting"...The badger would be dug from the ground, severaly injured by beating with a shovel or perhaps have its jaws cut with a branch lopper and then thrown into a make shift ring with a bull terrier of some sort.
I don't see that much difference between the way the badger was treated and the way the bull is treated in bull fighting.
All the same arguments about the bravery of the matador used to be touted about the gameness of the bull terriers. Same with the risks and danger involved to the dog.
Thankfully, badger baiting has been illegal for a long time over here and I wouldn't shed a tear if bull fighting went the same way.
The thing about bullfighting is that there is no real need to injure and then kill the bull. The matadors could still go in the ring and strut their stuff but the end game could be different..In fact I think this form of bull fighting is practiced in certain parts of the world now and is seen as less brutal ect.
With regards bull riding and rodeos ect, while not perhaps as "lavish" and visually "spectacular" as bull fighting, I still take my hat off to those guys who ride those bulls. I'm not sure they are in any way less brave than a Matador and the bull does not end up suffering a slow lingering death..