Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash

Bogota – one of Latin America’s bullfighting capitals – has announced bulls will no longer be killed or stabbed during the spectacle as they seek to put an end the traditional sport.

The Board of the Colombian capital has announced a new project to move away from bullfighting events in the city.

The project will see an end to bulls being killed in bullfights, as well as an end to the use of spears and blades such as ‘banderillas’ which are stabbed into the animals to make them weaker during the fight.

Other objects which could cut or injure the bulls will also be banned.

Green Alliance councillor Andrea Padilla, the creator of the project, told local media the initiative will also see the number of fights in events halved from eight to four, price increases of between 10 and 20 percent, and bullfighting businessmen being made to cover all the operating costs for the events.

The organisers of the bullfights will also have to dedicate 30 percent of their advertising space to inform visitors about the bulls’ suffering.

A statement said “this obligation includes publicity on walls, bus stops and in media outlets”.

The initiative was passed with 32 votes in favour in the city council after it was put forward by Green Alliance.

Bullfighting is a controversial topic in Colombia, with its defenders believing it a cultural and historic tradition while animal rights group amount it to torture for the bulls involved.

Ernesto Samper, the former President of Colombia, said on social media: “Congratulations to the Board of Bogota for the initiative of banning, in practice, bullfighting in the city. An example that should be followed by Congress so that prohibition is national and could be extended to every fight.”

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