Eric Mills: Tell your legislator and your priest, ban bloodless bullfights

Re “Spikes, nails spur probe of bullfight events” (Page 3A, May 25): The Merced County Sheriff’s office recently confiscated dozens of harpoon-like “bandarilhas,” armed with 2-inch to 3-inch spikes hidden in Velcro. They were to have been used illegally in one of the many so-called “bloodless bullfights” common in the Central Valley, a tradition within the Portuguese community.

California is the only state to allow this cruelty. Ironically, the 1957 state law requires these events be held in conjunction with a church or religious festival. Can you spell “sacrilege”? I cannot believe that either God or any devout Christian would approve. And what about separation of church and state? Humans and horses alike can be thrown, gored and trampled, and the bulls are routinely trucked off to slaughter after a single “fight.”

Some traditions deserve to die. This clearly unconstitutional law needs to be overturned. All state legislators may be written c/o The State Capitol, Sacramento, Calif., 95814. Let them hear from you! Your local priest, too.

This story was originally published June 13, 2016 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Eric Mills: Tell your legislator and your priest, ban bloodless bullfights."