Bullfighters Strike In Spain First Event Of Season Canceled In Dispute Over Shaving Horns

A nationwide strike by bullfighters on Sunday forced the cancellation of the first event of the main season. Angry fans in the eastern city of Castellon, where the fight was to take place, lined up for refunds and a promoter said $175,000 had been returned.

“Those bullfighters better not come around here after what they’ve done,” said Juan Sales, who brought his wife and two children 90 miles to see one of Spain’s best-known matadors, Jose Ortega Cano.

A second fight, scheduled for today in Castellon, was “postponed” until March 8. The promoters expressed hope the strike would end today after breeders meet in Madrid.

The Confederation of Bullfighting Professionals, representing most matadors, breeders and promoters, called the strike to protest government rules that aim to halt the practice of shaving bulls’ horns to make fights easier for matadors.

The government and many critics are concerned that horn shaving, which disorients the animals in the ring, is already widespread. Breeders can be fined up to $70,000 and suspended from bullfights for six months, but penalties have rarely been imposed.