Charging Bull Leaps Out Of Arena And Gores President Of French Bullfighting Association In Horrifying Attack

05 Aug, 2015 by Greg Campbell

Print this article Font size -16+

Bullfighting is a time-honored but horrifying event. The animal is killed for the bloodlust of the crowd and one bull, apparently, had not resigned himself to his fate when he leapt out of the arena to take revenge on the bullfighting association’s president.

The president of a bullfighting club was gored by a bull after it jumped out of the ring and attacked him.

Dominique Perron, president of his local Paul Ricard bullfighting association, suffered serious injuries after being charged at the Bayonne Festival, in south west of France, on Sunday night.

Roger Martin, a photographer sitting alongside him, was first of all gorged in the testicles, and then suffered horrific wounds all the way up to his stomach.

‘Mr Perron was hit second,’ said one of the visitors to the festival. ‘He was hit hard in the right leg, which was badly fractured. His ankle was also dislocated, and there may be other injuries.

‘Mr Perron was clearly in massive pain, and was screaming and shouting as the attack happened. He was naturally very frightened.’

The source added: ‘Neither of the men had time to hide behind the wooden barriers set up to protect people.

‘Mr Martin is in a very bad way, though his injuries are not life threatening.’

Both victims were rescued, and then rushed to hospital, where they underwent treatment. The bull was killed soon afterwards.

Mr Perron is a massive bullfighting enthusiast, and regularly promotes his local club, which is sponsored by the pastis manufacturer, Paul Ricard.

In a recent speech he spoke of the ‘spirit of conviviality’ which brings followers of the controversial pastime together.

The ancient city of Bayonne has been at the centre of bullfighting in France ever since it was imported over the border from Spain.

Bayonne’s first bull run took place in a central square in 1701, and was held in honour of King Philip V of Spain.

American writer Ernest Hemingway was among those who romanticised the blood sport in France, but it is now regularly attacked for being cruel.

Bullfighting is known as ‘Corrida’ in France, and is illegal in most of the country, with those participating without permission facing two year prison sentences.

But a special judicial exemption has allowed it to continue in towns and cities such as Arles, Nimes and Bayonne, as well as smaller villages.

Bulls are regularly taunted and stabbed to death in front of thousands of cheering spectators.

Speaking about the blood sport’s French fans last year, animal welfare campaigner Carole Raphaelle Davis said: ‘They are vile. They are a crude bunch, French hillbillies.’

These are severely dangerous animals and while the sport is a long-held tradition, I urge people to examine whether they would ever want to be a part of the continuation of this tradition.