It's hard to fathom that animals are still tortured and killed for entertainment and tradition in various parts of the world. Here are ten shocking events that you should avoid at all costs.
1. Kots Kaal Pato, Mexico
In Citilcum, Yucatán, this festival involves stuffing iguanas and opossums into piñatas, which are then beaten with sticks. Those that survive are later killed by the crowd. The event culminates with a duck being hung from a scaffold while participants try to grab it, ultimately breaking its neck and splattering blood on the audience.
2. Tlacotalpan Bull Festival, Mexico
Every year in Veracruz, bulls are force-fed alcohol, dragged across a river, and then subjected to beatings and stabbings.
3. Torneo de Lazo, Mexico
In this Yucatán rodeo event, horses are gruesomely eviscerated by charging bulls. Despite being illegal, this cruelty continues unchecked by authorities.
4. Festival of the Ox (Farra do Boi), Brazil
During Brazil’s “Farra do Boi,” oxen are subjected to horrific abuse—chased, punched, kicked, and beaten with various weapons. Their eyes are rubbed with hot pepper, limbs broken, and tails hacked off. Some are even set on fire. The survivors are eventually killed and their meat shared among participants.
5. Gadhimai Festival, Nepal
Held every five years near the Nepal-India border, this festival sees over 100,000 animals, including buffalo, goats, and chickens, brutally slaughtered.
6. Nem Thuong Pig-Slaughter Festival, Vietnam
At this festival, pigs are tied down spread-eagle and then sliced in half with a sword while they scream in pain.
7. Yulin Dog-Meat Festival, China
Thousands of dogs are crammed into cages without food or water and transported long distances to be slaughtered and eaten at this annual event.
8. Umkhosi Ukweshwama, South Africa
In this ritual, young warriors chase and wrestle a bull to the ground, killing it by breaking its neck or smothering it.
9. Toro de la Vega, Spain
In Tordesillas, participants chase a bull through the streets and stab it to death with spears in this annual tradition.
10. Pero Palo Festival, Spain
In Extremadura, a donkey is subjected to pushing, pulling, kicking, biting, and dragging by drunken crowds. Sometimes, alcohol is forced down the animal’s throat, adding to its suffering.
How You Can Help
The best way to help stop these cruel practices is to never attend such festivals and to spread awareness about the cruelty involved. Encourage friends and family to avoid these events and advocate for animal welfare.