Reprieved, but of what crime?

Barcelona.- In an article published in the newspaper, “La Vanguardia ”, in the edition of November 3, 2008, the journalist Paco March assures us that the bull ´reprieved´ in the Monumental in Barcelona after being fought by the bull killer José Tomás went on to be given an idyllic existence and to become the “king of the pasture.” According to the journalist the bull is, “practically convalescent and can expect to gain a few kilos whilst waiting for the moment, perhaps in December or January, in which the most select cows receive his favours. It is the beginning of a new life, which can come to as many as fifteen or more years, when all he has to do is to father the heirs of his bravery and nobility.” What the reporter forgets to mention is that, far from this idyll, the bull, according to an article published in ”EL País”, returns home (…) covered in scars (…) weighing hundreds of kilos less than when it left for the bullrings of Barcelona because of the trauma of the experience and the stress of the trip (…) ”. He also ignores the fact that, although the official line is that these ´reprieved´ bulls return to the pasture to be put out to stud, nothing is known in reality of the destination of these animals. The most probable thing is that, considering the extent of the wounds inflicted upon the animal, the majority die shortly after the fight. The only beneficiary is the bull killer who can feel proud of his generosity in apparently sparing life of the animal.” (La Vanguardia and El País).