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Around 100 protesters, who have launched a petition to ban the festival, shouted "shame," "murderers," and "the scum of Spain," as it took place in the small village of Medinaceli, north-east of Madrid. Toro Jubilo, which took place over the weekend, is the grotesque festival which sees men cover a bull in mud, pin it down, place balls on each horn and set it on fire. A bullring was constructed in the main square and several bonfires were prepared for the bulls humiliating torture. The bull, once on fire, was released to run around the square for 13 minutes before it was slaughtered.

RUPTLY Bull set alight as protesters cause chaos to disrupt the event

Mimi Bekhechi, Director of International Programmes at PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said: "It's beyond comprehension that in the 21st century, parts of Spain still condone the sadistic torture of animals for human amusement. "The bull used for the 'Toro de Fuego', which is translated as 'bull on fire', has fiery balls attached to his horns that can burn for upwards of an hour, scorching his sensitive horns, eyes, and other body parts. "The poor, panicked animal can do nothing but charge around the square, smashing into walls in an attempt to put out the flames, while merciless thugs cheer at his agony. "After this torment, he's caught, killed, and butchered."



RUPTLY Protester upset and screaming as the sick festival continues

The festival usually attracts over a thousand people and is purely in the name of entertainment and tradition, while being protected by the government who insist on preserving it. A spokesman for the animal campaign party, PACMA, said they had managed to film the Toro Jubilo despite the strong security. "Organisers decided to only allow access to people with invitations so even journalists were banned," he said. "But we still managed to get through and record the shocking scenes." Local laws usually ban any activity which would, "hurt, puncture, strike, hold or cruelly treat cattle in any other cruel way". Silvia Barquero, president of PACMA, said the images would be seen across the world, with "millions of people frightened by the images of a bull with fire in its horns".

RUPTLY Bull struggles to shake the fire off of his horns

Try to give an animal that is going to be mistreated and burned today a voice A protester

The event takes place every year on the second weekend of November. A protester said: "We all came together to try to stop the bull festival. "And try to give an animal that is going to be mistreated and burned today, a voice, that’s why we’re here. The barbaric ordeal was banned in 1962 after the British press revealed its horrific cruelty. However, the ban was lifted in 1972, and select Spanish people have tormented bulls to death ever since. One festival supporter said: "We want to be allowed to celebrate our bull festival, which is more than 500 years old. "That’s it, let us do it, that’s what we want and nothing more."

RUPTLY Men hold down the bull as people protest the horrific event