Bullfighting Is Cruel, Barbaric, Readers Say

Regarding photographer Justin De Leon’s “book in progress” (“Dance of Danger,” Aug. 27): He says that bullfighting “to some is poetic, to others barbaric.” In addition to his “poetic” pictures of bullfighting, I would expect that his “barbaric” photographs would include scenes of a pre-fight bull having Vaseline rubbed into his eyes to blur his vision and cotton stuffed up his nostrils to inhibit his breathing. Also, he should photograph the bull enduring a strong caustic solution rubbed on his legs to throw him off balance and to keep him from lying down.

During the actual “contest,” he should photograph the bull suffering two heavy darts with sharp fish-hook points implanted in his neck muscles to tear his flesh whenever he moves.

The accompanying “picador” who rides a blindfolded horse with its ears stuffed with wet newspapers and its vocal chords cut, will then slice a deep 4-inch-wide hole along the bull’s backbone. Photographs of these procedures should certainly be included in his book to demonstrate the “barbaric” side of bullfighting.

GEORGE WOOD

Malibu

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I bitterly resent my newspaper pushing this horrible homage to bullfighting in my face on a beautiful peaceful Sunday morning.

I’ve spent my whole life battling against cruelty to animals who have no voice, or choice of their own, and it’s so incredibly disappointing and sickening to see yet another young macho man glorifying cruelty, purporting it rises to a higher philosophy.

Bullfighting is cruelty. It is disgusting, primitive and pathetic that it is the heart of any culture in this day and age.

That is why bullfighting is not part of the North American culture, the U.S.A.

PATRICIA MACE

Los Angeles

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Having observed regular coverage of bullfighting stories in your paper--which appears to be sympathetic, condoning or glamorizing--one can only conclude that there is interest in promoting in a positive light a “‘blood” sport you perceive your Hispanic readers find interesting.

Would you also cover “genital mutilation” (Africa) or “wife-burning” (India) in the same manner? I think not.

I find such coverage damaging to a civil society. Shame!

ELAINE F. LIVESEY-FASSEL

Los Angeles