Etobicoke Guardian

To the editor:

Re: ‘‘Mad dash for survival’ worth the risk: lawyer,’ News, Aug. 3

In regard to the story about the lawyer who ran with the bulls for charity.

I can only assume that Mr. Johnson is not aware of the cruelty of this barbaric spectacle. Though his intentions were good and his philanthropy is admirable, he must be ignorant to the fact these animals forced to participate in this event are treated horribly and many animal welfare activists have been denouncing the ‘Running of the Bulls’ for years.

The bulls slip and slide on the streets of Pamplona during the run and are later violently killed – all in the name of tradition. Tradition has historically been used to justify abhorrent practices, such as child labour and slavery but tradition doesn’t make these things right.

Bulls are bred in a farming environment and are not accustomed to the noise of the crowd or being surrounded by people. They are kept in crowded, dark enclosures, and when they are prodded onto the streets with electric shocks, the light momentarily blinds them. They are terrified and are hit by runners with rolled up newspapers. The route has sharp turns, which the bulls cannot navigate well so they often lose their footing and slide into walls, breaking bones and injuring themselves and the runners. It’s my understanding that 15 people have died since the inception of this event.

All the bulls that are forced onto the streets of Pamplona are running towards a bloody and horrific death in the bull ring or slaughterhouse.

I doubt that any charitable person working toward a noble cause would knowingly support such a blood sport. If he really wants to “give back to the world” perhaps Mr. Johnson will consider a less violent method to support his favorite charity next year, how about a rugby match? Anything that doesn’t involve the torture and killing of animals, please.

Philip Costa