Sinaloa has classified bullfighting as animal cruelty and recently became the fifth state in Mexico to outlaw it. 

Mazatlán is the only town in the state that still holds the fights.

Campaigners are celebrating the decision, which was agreed upon unanimously by the Congress of Sinaloa. 

Sinaloa joins Sonora, Guerrero, Coahuila, and Quintana Roo in outlawing the cruel practice. There’s still a long way to go though — bullfighting is still legal in 27 Mexican states.

‘Important’ reform to animal welfare

Animal welfare has ramped up in recent years with law changes and higher fines now imposed for acts of cruelty.

Humane Society International/Mexico sent a statement to PBN on the news. Animal cruelty program manager Felipe Marquez explained: 

“This is an important reform in Mexico.

“Because it reflects the views and sentiments of the majority of Mexican citizens who believe that bullfighting should be banned. 

“We cannot hope to tackle violence in our society if we still allow animals to be stabbed to death for our entertainment.”

The comment came in light of an almost decade-old study that revealed 73 percent of Mexicans are in favor of banning bullfighting.

Bullfighting around the world

Globally, around 250,000 bulls are still killed in bullfights every year.

Alongside much of Mexico, the industry still operates in Spain, France, Portugal, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador.

As part of the “fights,” the human “bullfighter” or matador is tasked with killing the animal in front of a crowd.

According to Humane Society International, this is an “agonizing death.” 

The matador often misses the target (a tiny area between the bull’s shoulders) with his sword, resulting in injuries to the bull’s lungs and bronchial tubes, causing blood to flow through the injured animal’s mouth and nose.

Fortunately, the industry appears to be in its final days. This latest ban comes two years after Spanish bullfighters asked the government for €700 million to save the “sport” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.