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Every summer, bulls and cows are abused across seaside towns in festivals within Spain’s Valencian Community, known as bous a la mar (bulls to the sea). Participants taunt and torment the animals inside an arena by the harbour, before forcing them to jump into the sea. Urge Spanish officials to stop this abuse now!
Festivals Torment Bulls for “Entertainment”
Bous a la mar festivals last for several days, and twice each day, bulls are corralled inside a temporary arena at the town’s port. Often, they are chased through the streets by a violent mob before they get to the arena. There, participants bait the bulls one at a time, luring them toward the quay's edge until the frightened animal falls or is forced into the sea. Once in the water, the bulls desperately try to find safety while men swim around them, grabbing their horns and ropes are tied around their heads to tow them back to land.
If the animals survive the torment, they are reused for other events, enduring this trauma repeatedly until they are eventually sent to slaughter.
These cruel events, known as bous a la mar festivals, take place in Dénia, Xàbia (or Jávea), Benicarló, and Moraira. Other towns may host similar spectacles, but these four are among the most prominent.
Abuse and Death for Bulls
Several bulls have drowned during the festivities recently, including Dénia’s 2023 and Xàbia’s 2024 events. Those who survive are forced to take part in similar spectacles for years until they are eventually slaughtered when considered no longer "useful."
Torture, Not Tradition
Animal advocates, including PACMA, Anima Naturalis, CAS International, Animal Save Denia, and locals, call for an end to these events every year. And it’s not just campaigners who are speaking out. Public opinion across Spain is increasingly opposed to festivities that torment bulls. An overwhelming majority, 8 out of 10 Spaniards, are against using animals in bullfighting and similar spectacles.
Tourists Beware
Tourists visiting the Costa Blanca may stumble upon these events unaware, only to be shocked by the medieval cruelty on display. Increasingly, tourists are choosing to avoid festivals that involve animal exploitation, and it’s clear that the future of Spanish tourism lies in compassionate, cruelty-free celebrations that reflect the country’s rich culture without harming animals.