Party asks authorities to determine the circumstances of the animal’s fatal fall and raises separate concerns over the treatment of cattle at an event on São Jorge

PAN/Azores has asked the authorities to investigate the death of a fighting bull during a traditional rope bullfight on August 19 in Carapacho, on the island of Graciosa. According to reports received by the party, the animal jumped over a wall that may not have been adequately secured, fell approximately ten meters and suffered injuries that reportedly caused its death shortly afterward.

The PAN/Azores parliamentary representation reported the incident to the relevant authorities, including the GNR and the Maritime Police, and also informed the Regional Animal Ombudsperson. The party is seeking clarification of the circumstances surrounding the fall and of any possible responsibility associated with safety conditions at the site.

According to PAN, it received images and eyewitness accounts showing the bull lying motionless in a bathing area near the water, partially surrounded by what appeared to be blood and with the rope still attached to its neck. The party also wants authorities to establish whether veterinary assistance was provided to the animal and whether the municipal official responsible for overseeing the event could bear any responsibility for what occurred.

PAN/Azores argues that, should violations be confirmed, the appropriate administrative proceedings should be initiated or concluded and any sanctions provided for under the law applied. The party is also calling for greater transparency in inspection and enforcement procedures and for the outcomes of such cases to be made known.

The political party has used the incident to question the effectiveness of oversight of bullfighting activities in the Azores, arguing that there is a perception of impunity surrounding some incidents involving animals used in these events. PAN also maintains that the outcomes of administrative offense proceedings are not routinely disclosed by the authority responsible for handling them, making public scrutiny more difficult.

The complaint follows another incident recently reported to PAN/Azores, this time in Velas, on the island of São Jorge. According to information provided to the party, several cows used in a traditional cattle event held on August 15 were allegedly kept confined in transport cages for more than three hours after the activity had ended.

PAN says it received photographs and eyewitness reports indicating that, after 11 p.m., the animals remained confined without access to water or food and were exposed to high temperatures. The party is therefore seeking clarification regarding the conditions in which the animals were kept and the oversight provided by the municipal official and veterinarian responsible for the event.

Pedro Neves, spokesperson and member of the Azorean Parliament for PAN/Azores, argues that the two episodes demonstrate the need for stronger enforcement and oversight of bullfighting activities for as long as such practices remain legally permitted.

PAN continues to advocate for the abolition of bullfighting. At the same time, the party maintains that, under the existing legal framework, all applicable animal protection and welfare regulations must be fully observed.

For Neves, the incidents reported on Graciosa and São Jorge warrant a thorough determination of the facts, the identification of any individual or institutional responsibility and, where violations are established, the application of the measures provided for by law.

The allegations remain allegations pending investigation. In the Graciosa case in particular, the circumstances surrounding the bull’s fall, the adequacy of the safety measures, the veterinary response and any possible responsibility have yet to be established by the competent authorities.

PAN/Azores says it will continue to follow the proceedings concerning these and other incidents involving animals used in bullfighting activities across the Region.

Based on a story in Diário Insular-José Lourenço, director-Phtos from Azormais Produções (YouTube Channel) and PAN/A