Animal rights groups secure provisional suspension of bullfights in three Yucatán municipalities, with conditions on events

Animal Héroes and PETA Latino secured provisional suspensions against bullfights at traditional festivals in Sotuta, Ucú and Cansahcab, but the rulings did not deliver everything the animal protection groups sought.

The courts allowed the events to go ahead because they consider bullfighting a tradition in those communities. The festivals will therefore proceed on their scheduled dates, but under conditions intended to prevent physical abuse and suffering.

The restrictions prohibit swords, estoque blades, banderillas, rejones, puyas and any equivalent instrument that could cause bleeding, pain or undue stress to the animals. The organizations said such instruments violate Article 4 of Mexico's Constitution on animal protection, as well as NOM-033.

Animal Héroes and PETA Latino have also obtained legal protections against bullfights in Tixkokob, Temozón, Muna and Seyé. They said they would continue pursuing legal action to stop the use of instruments that injure or cause suffering to bulls and other animals involved in bullfights across Yucatán.