Herd of PETA ‘Bulls’ to Gather Outside Indian Embassy

Supporters Will Call On Prime Minister to Uphold Laws Protecting Bulls From Cruel Races, Other Events

For Immediate Release:
March 10, 2015

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

As India’s central government considers weakening laws that prohibit cruel events such as bull races, bullfights, and jallikattu—in which bulls are chased, kicked, and punched—a herd of PETA “bulls” is set to converge outside the Indian Embassy on Thursday. Bearing signs in Tamil, Hindi, and English that proclaim, “Please, Mr. Modi, Keep Ban on Jallikattu, Bull Races,” the protesters will call on the prime minister to maintain the existing protections for animals.

Where:           Indian Embassy, 2107 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington

When:             Wednesday, March 11, 1 p.m.

“There’s no excuse for the physical torment of sensitive, intelligent animals in jallikattu and other events,” says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. “PETA’s motto reads, in part, that ‘animals are not ours to use for entertainment,’ and that’s why we’re calling on Indian authorities to stay with the times and offer bulls the protection they deserve.”

Video from jallikattu events shows that terrified bulls are deliberately disoriented, chased, kicked, punched, jumped on, dragged to the ground, and stabbed, and people even twist and bite the animals’ tails. Numerous people, including spectators, have been killed or seriously injured at jallikattu events by bulls who are intentionally frightened as part of the “game.” During races, bulls are often hit with nail-studded sticks and pushed beyond the point of exhaustion. In bullfights, a round ends when one of the bulls either is killed or manages to flee.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.