MICHOACÁN, Mexico—In an historic move reflecting evolving societal values and animal welfare concerns, Michoacán has officially banned bullfighting, marking a significant step towards a more compassionate treatment of animals. This landmark decision makes Michoacán the sixth state in Mexico to prohibit the controversial spectacle. Bullfighting bans are in force in Guerrero, Sinaloa, Sonora, Coahuila and Quintana Roo. Mexico City recently banned “violent bullfights”, allowing only spectacles in which bulls are not injured or killed. The bill, passed by the Michoacán State Congress on April 2, was introduced by Congresswoman Giulianna Bugarini, championed by the México Sin Toreo animal group.
Humane World for Animals México (formerly called Humane Society International/Mexico) welcomed the decision. Claudia Edwards, Humane World for Animals Mexico programs director, said: “We celebrate this ban as a triumph for compassion, demonstrating the need to protect animals from cruelty and promote more humane forms of entertainment. Following so closely after Mexico City’s bullfighting restriction, it highlights the growing awareness surrounding animal protection in Mexico and the rejection of cruelty to animals.
The ban in Michoacán has received widespread support from citizens and organizations that have long opposed the brutal practices associated with bullfighting. By stepping away from this brutal tradition, Michoacán is advocating for a future that embraces cultural evolution and respects animal welfare”.
As Michoacán moves forward, it sets a precedent for other states to consider the implications of animal cruelty in traditional practices and to reimagine what cultural celebrations can look like in a more compassionate society.