Killed by charging bulls: Three men tossed, pierced, and trampled over by enraged animals

On 21 July it was reported by BBC Newsthat three men died from wounds suffered during bull-running festivals in Spain. At least two of them had taken part in the Valencia region's traditional bous al carrer (bull-running), with one simply a bystander.

The famous Spanish festivals see bulls charge through towns, often with people running ahead of them.

In one of the incidents, an enraged bull tossed a man in the air when he was standing behind a block. The man suffered a traumatic brain injury. Another victim had his lung pierced by a charging bull.

Alicante Today reported that a French tourist who wasn't taking part in the event spent days in a coma after an angry beast hooked him by the leg and hurled him before trampling over him.

A risky entertainment

Casualties have always been a regular feature of bull-running events. The San Fermin running of the bulls in Pamplona, the first festival held in three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, saw 35 injuries this year.

The organisers justify the risky entertainment by a much-needed boost to Valencia's economy. A 2019 study found that it created more than 3,000 jobs and brought in €300m with almost 10,000 events a year.

Officials warn that bulls are animals and accidents of this type were a risk that people took.

'It's time to put an end to it!'

Spain's party for the animals (PACMA) repeated its call for the abolition of bull festivals, criticising the organisers of the three Valencia events for endangering the lives of residents and inflicting abuse on animals.

They said in their tweet:

Deaths in the bous al carrer, like the three that have occurred in recent days, can be avoided by prohibiting all bull-running festivals.They pose suffering and pain for animals and are a risk to the public. It's time to put an end to it!

Animal rights groups have long complained of the dangers for the public as well as the animals. They say 20 people have died in the region in the past eight years.

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