Mexico City Bans Bullfighting – A Historic Yet Controversial Step Toward Compassion

https://www.eticania.org/AnimalWelfare

In a remarkable decision on May 2nd, 2025, Mexico City has officially banned bullfighting, putting an end to a tradition that endured for over 500 years. The new legislation prohibits both the killing of bulls and the use of sharp instruments in public spectacles.

From an ethical standpoint, this move away from public torture and ritual killing of animals is a clear step forward. Societies evolve, and what was once deemed "cultural heritage" must be reevaluated through the lens of modern values: empathy, nonviolence, and sustainable progress.

Of course, this is not yet a perfect solution. Bulls will still be bred and used in non-lethal shows. Stress, fear, and dominance remain. But symbolic victories matter and this law sends a message far beyond Mexico: we are capable of change.

Animal rights organizations estimate that around 180,000 bulls are killed each year in bullfighting worldwide, all in the name of “culture” ...and profit.

Let’s be clear: a more ethical world won’t emerge by denying history, but by writing a new chapter. This ban is not a loss of identity — it’s a compassionate step forward.

And we must keep the dialogue open — and humane. Bullfighting is not only a tradition, it is an industry. Over 226,000 jobs in Mexico are directly or indirectly connected to it, according to DW and other sources. For many, this ban doesn’t just mark the end of a ritual, but the beginning of economic uncertainty and the loss of significant income. A functioning society has a responsibility — and an opportunity — to offer these people alternative livelihoods. We’re not talking about the ruthless profiteers who exploit animals without remorse, but about those who depend on this work to survive.

It’s time to rethink and to reach out, so they no longer feel the need to earn a living through the suffering and blood of innocent beings. That, too, is part of our duty as an ethically driven society.

Sources:

🌐 DW – Bullfighting ban in Mexico City sparks controversy (03/19/2025)

📘 Facebook Post – David Attenborough For The Nobel Prize (03/05/2025)