ARCHIVED - Bous a la Mar bull run sparks animal rights protest in Denia

Animal rights activists protest against cruelty to bulls in the Costa Blanca

One of the more peculiar Spanish traditions related to bulls and bull running (at least to those of us who come to this country from elsewhere) is the “Bous a la mar” event which is held every year in the Costa Blanca resort of Denia in the second week of July to coincide with the veneration of the Blood of Christ (la Santísima Sangre).

During this event the young bulls are run from the Glorieta on the higher ground of the town to the semi-bullring which is temporarily set up in the port. This ring is only half complete because the other (imaginary) half would be in the Mediterranean, and the main aim of those who take part is to trick the animals into falling into the sea.

This event was declared to be of national tourist interest in 1993, and similar ones are also held in other places on the Mediterranean coast such as Benicarló in the province of Castellón and Alcanar in neighbouring Tarragona. 

This year’s Denia “Bous a la Mar”, though, was targeted by animals rights protest group Pacma, who maintain that many animals drown or die of heart attacks during the event, such is the fear aroused by being chased by hundreds of shouting individuals before being forced into the sea and a protest was called on Saturday, the eve of the event. Pacma describe the Bous a la Mar fiesta as “humiliating for the animals” on account of the psychological and physical stress they suffer, and maintain that such celebrations are “totally unnecessary” in the name of entertainment for human beings.

The group calls for the authorities in the province of Alicante to support only “ethical and responsible fiestas” in which animals with a proven capacity for suffering are not subjected to maltreatment.

Approximately 15 protesters also attended the fiesta itself on Sunday, arousing resentment among those taking part, and the police were forced to intervene to put an end to the resulting scuffle and remove the offenders. 

Image: Copyrighted. Full or partial reproduction prohibited. Efe Natxo Francés