The Head of Government of Mexico City, Clara Brugada, revealed that her administration is promoting a legislative proposal to prohibit bloodless bullfighting in the Mexican capital and establish a supervision mechanism to prevent the use of sharp objects against bulls during the festivities.
In a press conference, Brugada specified that the new initiative aims to restrict the use of the cape and the muleta as tools for the fight, limit the duration of the performances to 10 minutes, prohibit the use of swords and banderillas, and place protectors on the horns of the bulls to prevent injuries.
The official explained that this proposal responds to the majority opinion of the citizens and will place Mexico City at the forefront of animal rights defense. However, she did not specify how that supposed majority in favor of the new format of bullfighting is defined.
Clara Brugada emphasized that, under the framework of the local Constitution, which recognizes animals as sentient beings, it is the responsibility of all citizens to guarantee proper treatment of animals and prevent any kind of mistreatment, such as that which occurs in bullfights.
On the other hand, Pedro Haces, a bullfighting supporter and deputy of the ruling party Morena, informed that there will be a freedom of vote in Congress within his group in case the initiative is presented. Haces pointed out that bullfights without death ignore that the bull will be sacrificed after the spectacle.
For his part, Pepe Saborit, director of the Mexican Bullfighting Association, declared that none of the professionals or bullfighting guilds have accepted the proposal for bloodless bullfights. Despite the differences of opinion in the sector, Brugada affirmed that the measure has been agreed upon with the parties involved in bullfighting.
