Ecuador's blood sports face possible ban

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Feb 23, 4:12 PM EST
Ecuador's blood sports face possible ban
By DOLORES OCHOA
Associated Press

ALANGASI, Ecuador (AP) -- For generations, young men have tested themselves in Alangasi's annual "Toros Populares" festival, amateur bullfights that have become a rite of passage for its youths.

Many venture into the rustic ring to taunt and tarry with the bulls, emboldened by beer and aguardiente, a local anise-flavored firewater.

But this month's festival could be the last for the town just outside the capital of Quito.

President Rafael Correa has called a referendum asking Ecuadoreans to ban bullfighting, cockfighting and other pursuits where animals are killed for human entertainment.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_ECUADOR_BLOOD_SPORTS_PHOTO_PKG?SECTION=HOME&SITE=AP&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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On edit, civilization bringing an end to this "sport" in Spain

The Spanish province of Catalonia banned bullfights in July, joining the Canary Islands, which outlawed them in 1991.

And just last month, Spain's main broadcaster stopped showing bullfights, judging them harmful to children.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[EFerrari]

2. This is great news.

There's a big cock fighting culture right here where I live and it's just horrendous. They pay off the county sheriffs so the busts are few and far between.