Bullfighting is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal, some cities in southern France and in several Latin

American countries, in which one or more bulls are ritually killed in a bullring as a public spectacle.

The tradition, as it is practiced today, involves professional toreros or toreadors, who execute various formal
moves in order to subdue the bull itself. Such maneuvers are performed at close range, and have in some cases
resulted in injury or even death of the performer. The bullfight usually concludes with the death of the bull by a
sword thrust.

Bullfighting generates heated controversy in many areas of the world, including Mexico, Ecuador, Spain, Peru,
and Portugal. Supporters of bullfighting argue that it is a culturally important tradition, while animal rights
groups argue that it is a blood sport because of the suffering of the bull and horses during the bullfight.

Bullfighting is criticized by many people, including but not limited to animal rights activists, referring to it as a
cruel or barbaric blood sport, in which the bull suffers severe stress and a slow, torturous death. A number of
animal rights or animal welfare activist groups undertake anti-bullfighting actions in Spain and other countries.
In Spanish, opposition to bullfighting is referred to as antitaurina. However, some commentators have called
into question how much worse the welfare of the bull is across its life as compared to the lives and death of
meat cattle in commercial farming.

Bullfighting guide The Bulletpoint Bullfight warns that bullfighting is "not for the squeamish," advising
spectators to "be prepared for blood." The guide details prolonged and profuse bleeding caused by horse-
mounted lancers, the charging by the bull of a blindfolded, armored horse who is "sometimes doped up, and
unaware of the proximity of the bull", the placing of barbed darts by banderilleros, followed by the matador's
fatal sword thrust. The guide stresses that these procedures are a normal part of bullfighting and that death is
rarely instantaneous. The guide further warns those attending bullfights to "Be prepared to witness various
failed attempts at killing the animal before it lies down."

Bullfighting is banned in many countries; people taking part in such activity would be liable for terms of
imprisonment for animal cruelty. "Bloodless" variations, though, are permitted and have attracted a following in
California, and France.

In Spain, national laws against cruelty to animals have abolished most blood sports, but specifically exempt
bullfighting. Over time, Spanish regulations have reduced the goriness of the fight, but only for the matadors
and the horses, introducing the padding for picadors' horses and mandating full-fledged operating rooms in the
premises.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullfighting