1000s decry Spain bull-spearing event

Thousands of people have gathered in the Spanish capital Madrid in protest of an annual bull-spearing event which they describe as an act of extreme animal abuse. 

The demonstrators broke wooden spears in a symbolic act to slam animal torture and marched in downtown Madrid on Saturday against the annual Toro de la Vega event.

During the event, men riding on horseback drive a bull into a field and then kill it with spears. The person who manages to eventually kill the bull is given a medal.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday in the town of Tordesillas which lies about 190 kilometers (118 miles) northeast of Madrid.

Supports of the event say it has been held for centuries and that it as an important historical tradition. 

According to those who oppose the tradition, it is a huge and vulgar violation of animal rights.

In May, Madrid’s San Isidro festival was called off early for the first time in 35 years as three matadors were gored and trampled in the bull fighting festival.

The last time the festival was canceled was in 1979 in the same ring.

SRK/MHB/AS