Europe's new wave of animal activism -- saving bulls and coddling fish

Animal activism, it seems, is catching on in Europe. A report in the Houston Chronicle explains that the animal rights movement is affecting, among other things, bullfighting.

Spain's iconic sport, bullfighting, is known for its ferocity and flair. But the centuries-old spectacle may have met its match in an equally tenacious opponent: Europe's animal rights movement.

For the first time Thursday, doping tests were introduced at Spain's most prestigious bullfighting festival after allegations that bulls are given drugs to tip the balance in favor of the matador. Under pressure and falling ratings, Spanish TV has dropped bullfighting from its schedule.

The increasingly vocal anti-bullfighting lobby says it's only a matter of time before the sport is relegated to the history books.

"People in Europe are finally beginning to accept the animal welfare message," said Kate Fowler-Reeves, head of campaigns for Animal Aid, the U.K.'s largest animal rights group.

In Switzerland, dogs are about to benefit from a little activism as well. Starting Sept. 1, a law will require dog owners to take (and pay for) a two-part training course. Among other things, dog owners will be instructed on how to properly walk a dog on the street. For more on those wacky Swiss and their new rules about "social species," check out this report from the Times of London:

From guinea pigs to budgerigars, any animal classified as a “social species” will be a victim of abuse if it does not cohabit, or at least have contact, with others of its own kind. The new regulation stipulates that aquariums for pet fish should not be transparent on all sides and that owners must make sure that the natural cycle of day and night is maintained in terms of light. Goldfish are considered social animals, or Gruppentiere in German.

-- Alice Short

Bullfighting photo: Paul White / Associated Press

Goldfish photo: Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[magaly zapata]

bullfight is not a sport is an art expression, a tradition. Since 16 century peaple intent to abolish bullfights. but If they do so, if they can relegate bullfights to the books, they will extinct millions of animals of this unique species. the bulls exist because the corridas, only. if there are no corridas the bulls will l disappear. ¿this is what they want? extinguish a race?

[Jennifer Hunter]

Yea, I'd rather the species become extinct than have them be exploited, tortured, and killed for entertainment, some sick "art", or some lame old "tradition".

Magaly,

If you're going to use "tradition" as an excuse for torture or exploitation then I'm sure you won't be opposed to slavery, caging aborigines with apes in zoos, or caste systems and segregation. Those were/are all traditions too.

Just because we have done something for a long time doesn't mean it is right or should be continued. The only saving grace for humans is that we are a people who evolve out of atrocious behaviors.

The future is compassionate, green, and vegan whether you like it or not.

Moving on, it's funny how the author of this article refers to the Swiss as "wacky" when it comes to giving our "pets" the life that is most natural and healthy for them. I wish we had those dog training laws in the States. Maybe then there wouldn't be millions of dogs dying in shelters every year because their "owners" never trained them. But why bother when we can just go buy another dog after we dump our old one off at the shelter?

[antoniomachadopoeta]

some superb journalism here alice short. after getting the animal rights fanatic's opinion/distorsion/lies there's no need to talk to anyone from the bullfight industry.

after all you might find out that bullfighting is generating more ticket sales and attendance than any other time in its history.

troublesome facts that don't fit the frame are so inappropriate.

[bullfightschool]

uh huh sure, the animal rights orgs have toreo on the run in spain. how about france's 2.5billion euro industry? (and growing)

and now there are 4 bullfighting schools in the USA? hmm. doesn't quite sound like a dying art form.

[michel michaeljohn]

THE UNHOLLYWOOD/UNGLAMOUROUS "REALITY" OF BULLFIGHTS:
WICKED; HEATHEN; UNGODLY "TRADITIONS;"
BRUTALITY SO COLD;
AN EVIL SO GUILTLESS;
UNIMAGINABLE SAVAGERY.
IT IS FAR "PAST" THE TIME FOR "PRO-BULLFIGHT" PEOPLE TO TURN TO THE ONE "TRUE" GOD AND "ABOLISH" THIS "REVISITATION" OF THE "HORRORS" OF THE "SPANISH INQUISITION."
(And, though I was born in the United States of America;
I am of "Spanish" descent.)

[michel michaeljohn]

THE UN-HOLLYWOOD/UN-GLAMOUROUS "REALITY" OF BULLFIGHTS:
WICKED; HEATHEN; UNGODLY "TRADITIONS;"
BRUTALITY SO COLD;
AN EVIL SO GUILTLESS;
UNIMAGINABLE SAVAGERY.
IT IS FAR "PAST" THE TIME FOR "BULLFIGHT" PEOPLE TO TURN TO THE ONE "TRUE" GOD AND "ABOLISH" THIS "RE-VISITATION" OF THE "HORRORS" OF THE "SPANISH INQUISITION."
"NOTHING" SHORT OF "TOTAL ABOLITION" WILL DO.
(And, though I was born in the United States of America; I am of "Spanish" descent.)