Bull drowns in Jávea 'fiesta'

News Staff Reporter
JÁVEA'S bous al mar fiestas got off to a controversial start on Wednesday when the first 'sacrifice of the day' drowned in the harbour.

Organisers say that the bull 'became agitated after its horns were set on fire' and it dived into the sea. It tried to raise its head out of the water but was unable to do so and drowned very quickly.

Onlookers say it was clear the bull had no strength and was unable to swim.

They added that a boat used to guide the bulls back to shore after they enter the water was unable to save the beast. The crew of the boat grabbed the animal's horns and held its head above water but by that time it was beyond help.

Jávea councillor Pepa Chorro, who was responsible for setting the bulls horns on fire, said 'it seemed very nervous' but she put this down to it being the first time it had participated in the fiestas.

She added that after its horns were alight it took no more than five minutes for the animal to dive into the sea, but due to its very tired state it was unable to stay afloat and all efforts to revive it were in vain.

The incident occurred a little after midnight on Tuesday.

Organisers say the bous al mar fiestas now included the bous embolats (attaching fire to horns) tradition, something that is not normally part of the Jávea fiestas.

	1. Written by Carole de Fraga on 09-10-2009 02:23
	The bull was obviously very stressed and exhausted by the time he plunged into the water. Such a senseless act of cruelty. Tradition is sometimes a curse, as it was to this otherwise dignified animal, that should be discontinued.

	2. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 08-10-2009 23:15
	Ms. Don't ever expect me to visit your country! Justice needs to be served!

	3. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 08-10-2009 19:58
	mrs peppa the pig chorra has not answered any of these emails which i find surprising should the costa blanca news not get in touch with her and see what she has to say about the evil incident? oh and by the way do the spanish want to shock us all by this kind of episode to get us all out of spain. THINK ABOUT IT !!

	4. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 08-10-2009 17:02
	Bull torture is not only Spain I feel angry and sick about this. Spain is known as the China in Europe for its bruitality to animals. However, I have just read about an annual festival in South Africa where men tear a live bull apart with bare hands inorder to prove their manhood. Please sign this petition to get it stopped. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/help-end-cruel-first-fruits-torture

	5. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 08-10-2009 16:18
	so very very sad... to see how low the Human Race can sink, and to see the lack of comrehension that these people have for the pain and suffering they cause. The stupidity of these ill-educated imbeciles is almost beyond belief......if only we could see them exhausted and humiliated and with their hair set on fire before being thrown into the sea...only then would they ever understand.

	6. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 08-10-2009 12:21
	Bull cruelty This is absolutely disgusting, but doesn't suprise me in the slightest. It makes me ashamed to be part of the human race.

	7. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 08-10-2009 10:50
	Bull cruelty I am sickened by the lack of regard shown to this bulls suffering by those involved and to see them laugh in the photo while he drowns is just despicable! They are all pathetic excuses for human beings. Cruelty at it's greatest. Everyone involved including the scum in the photo should be punished severely to send a message out to the rest of the sadists who are HAPPY to cause pain and suffering in this world, that we, as decent human beings, will NOT tolerate their inhumane behaviour.

	8. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 07-10-2009 20:37
	Bull cruelty It seems Spain is more famous for its cruelty to animals than anything else. This extremism deters holiday trade, and is the first thing I think of when I see the 'Spain' label on goods in my supermarket. Disgusting. I hope the bull died more quickly than if the rictual had gone as planned.

	9. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 07-10-2009 20:12
	Sickening The Spanish think they still need to bend the law against animal cruelty, whether it was in this "Fiesta" or any other bullfight. They are the only people that are SADISTS to animals!We can punish them by not going on a holiday there anymore!

	10. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 07-10-2009 15:26
	Horrific This makes me disgusted! What kind of people play a part of this horrific activity? There are truly sick, selfish, cruel people in the world! This poor bull.