Report filed against authorities over run with cows along dangerous ravine in Spain
30-08-2024CAS International and AnimaNaturalis have filed charges because of the dangerous conditions in which a bull festival with cows took place in Pilón en Falces (Navarra, Spain). The run took place along a dangerous ravine. Not only were great risks taken for the welfare of animals, but also of participants and spectators, including minors. We also documented the violation of safety regulations.
Report filed against authorities over run with cows along dangerous ravine in Spain | Picture: CAS International/AnimaNaturalis
Narrow path along ravine
On August 12, the run of Pilón (encierro de Pilón) took place. During the event – which has been declared a Tourist Interest of Navarre – cows and heifers are forced to descend at high speed along a narrow road bordered by a ravine. For the animals, this is very difficult and challenging terrain. As a result, the cows returned to their corral up to seven times at the beginning of the run. Finally, they were forced with caning to run along the ravine. The fear of running through the narrow path was so great for two heifers that they did not dare to continue their way, (even though they were urged to keep going). In one incident, one of the cows fell into the abyss. For minutes she tried to get away, to no avail. Not only her welfare but also that of the spectators was endangered.
Runs like the one in Pilón are brutal and pose a great danger to animal welfare. The animals suffer enormous stress, are exposed to screaming crowds and must run through very challenging terrain. The lives of spectators – including minors – are also at risk, as established safety standards for bull festivals are not followed here.
See images of the run below (note: the video contains shocking images).
🔴 NUEVO REPORTAJE | El pasado lunes 12 de agosto, documentamos los peligrosos sucesos ocurridos durante el segundo encierro del Pilón en Falces (Navarra, España).
❗️Una de las vacas cayó por un barranco y pasó varios minutos intentando escapar sin éxito, incrementando el riesgo… pic.twitter.com/QmaFH5lFps
— AnimaNaturalis (@AnimaNaturalis) August 14, 2024
Report
From CAS International and AnimaNaturalis, we have documented the presence of minors at the event with cows. We consider this a serious irresponsibility from the authorities and the organizers of the run. This situation is unacceptable and contrary to the norms intended to protect the physical integrity of minors during this type of event. For this reason, we are reporting the lack of measures to protect minors.
Run with cows and heifers in Pilón | Photo: CAS International/AnimaNaturalis
Committee for the Rights of the Child
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child asked Spain in 2018 to keep minors away from the violence of bullfighting. This is because bullfighting violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite the request, Spain has taken hardly any steps in protecting children from bullfighting and bull festivals. The European Link Coalition published a report on Spain’s non-compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in July 2024. Check out the report here!
Estefania Pampin Zuidmeer, CAS International campaigner:
“It is essential to put an end to bull festivals in Spain. Not only do they pose a great danger to animal welfare, but also to people. Children are especially vulnerable during such cruel events. CAS International and AnimaNaturalis will continue to document bull festivals and report when established standards are violated.”
CAS International and AnimaNaturalis conducted an investigation on more than 18,000 bull festivals that take place every year in Spain. Read all about our research here!
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