PIG STICKING IN SPAIN

Pig Sticking

 

The home of Don Quixote is in the news again now that an archaic sport that was  banned for years has suddenly made a comeback.  Wild boar hunting, commonly called “pig-sticking”, is hugely popular now in the Castilla La Mancha region of Spain, south of Madrid.   A traditional past time of the European nobility, this “sport” is best described as pigs being chased by hunters on horseback with 3 meter long spears…. in a fenced area with no chance to escape.   When cornered by dogs, the terror-stricken pig is stabbed over and over again by surrounding riders until it finally gives up and rolls over.

Animal rights activists are petitioning the local government to stop this “cruel and savage” sport while defenders say they are helping a country in crisis by bringing in more tourism to the region.  Hunters pay up to 5,000 Euros per team to take part in this medieval activity, while other guests pay to be spectators in luxury tents set up on the perimeter.  Alcohol is provided and a festive atmosphere is created while observers cheer on the hunters, impressed with this “brave and bloody” spectacle not that dissimilar to bullfighting.  One exuberant hunter was quoted as saying: “I feel like Michael Schumacher after 7 grand prix wins”.

In January of this year, Princes William and Harry, also took part in this very controversial sport.  Staying at an exclusive hunting estate owned by The Duke of Westminster, the royal brothers spent a “secret weekend” in the region, killing dozens of animals and being described by a local employee as “crack shots”.  Although they had been to the estate before, this particular trip was organized to “celebrate” Prince Harry’s graduation as an Apache helicopter pilot.

Although pig sticking has been primarily conducted on private hunting estates, animal activists are now particularly concerned because the Spanish Environment Ministry is also supporting it, with the hope to one day introduce it into the local National Parks and encourage tourism.  Apparently, this particular region  is “controlled” by the Conservative People’s Party, and award-winning newspaper columnist, Rosa Montero, has accused this government of “turning back the clock” to the Middle Ages.  “Next they will be bringing back serfdom,” she complained.

Copyright © 2012 (Michelle Parsons, Getting Back on Your Path). All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (1)

Steven NickoleyDecember 12th, 2012 at 8:03 pm

I appreciate your work , thankyou for all the interesting posts .

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