México. – The Colombian Álvaro Munera was initiated as a child in the practice of the bullfighting. In his house there was no other subject of conversation and, from the age of four, his father often took the small Álvaro to see bullfights. Having grown up in this atmosphere, Munera decided, at the age of twelve, to be a bull killer. However, at the age of 17, he sustained an injury from a goring so serious that it was thought he would never walk again. In the United States, where he went for treatment and rehabilitation, they were astonished that people would amuse themselves with the torture of animals. Munera says “they see us as a backward people, and it made me realize that what I had been doing was an absolute barbarity.” He realized that he had no wish to cause pain to an innocent being and decided upon a radical change to his life. He began to work tirelessly for the cause of animal defense, helping not only bulls and horses, but all kinds of animals.
Today, his dedication has transcended his early experience in his native Medellin: his simple and sincere philosophy of tolerance and justice has stimulated the defenders of the animals who invited him, as councilman to offer a cycle of three conferences that took place in Mexico City, from the 26th to 29th January. One was exclusively for legislators and journalists, and the other two were directed to students, animal defenders and the general public. The act was entitled, “from toreador to animal defender”. We applaud Munera for his model behavior in choosing to support the cause of animal defense and speaking against bullfights, since in his own words, “I cannot behave like an ostrich when there is so much cruelty and when animals are tortured and massacred for the amusement of people.” He adds: “it seems to me that it is the most aberrant, inhuman and wild practice that a Society can have.” (March, 2010)
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