India: Illegal Bull Races and Brutal Animal Cruelty

PETA India today publishes the findings of its investigations into nine recent bull races in India, known as Jallikattu. As the footage proves, bulls were tortured and human lives endangered at these events. PETA India intends to submit the findings of these investigations to the Supreme Court of India. The animal rights organisation aims to use this evidence to support its animal rights organisation ongoing case, in which it is seeking to challenge the constitutional validity of the so-called «Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017», under which Jallikattu is permitted in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. PETA India documented the acts of animal cruelty observed between 14 and 28 January 2018 at events in four districts of the state in detail in the form of a report as well as through photographic and video footage.

Brutal Violence Against Bulls

In the so-called Vaadi Vaasal, bulls were beaten, whipped, and jabbed with metal and wooden rods. To force the animals to run toward the threatening crowd, participants bit the animals' tails, yanked on them brutally, and twisted them. Participants pulled so roughly on the nose ropes of the bulls that their nostrils bled. In their panic, some bulls fled onto village streets, where they injured spectators and even gored and killed people with their horns. Bulls that ran off the grounds were beaten by onlookers. People also attempted to jump onto the animals. The bulls suffered serious injuries and collapsed.

“Year after year, investigations reveal the same thing: deliberate animal cruelty, injuries, and deaths are an inherent part of Jallikattu. No regulation, however strict, could change that — and that is precisely why the Supreme Court of India banned bull racing,” said Dr. Manilal Valliyate, CEO of PETA India.

“True Indian culture is defined by kindness and compassion toward cattle; it is characterized by respect for life. A violent crowd tormenting utterly terrified animals has no place in it.”

At least 26 deaths since 2017

Since Jallikattu was permitted again in Tamil Nadu in 2017, at least 26 people have lost their lives, including a police officer and a young person. More than 2’500 people have reportedly been injured. During this period, at least ten bulls have also died. It can be assumed that the actual number of bull deaths is even higher.

Supreme Court: Jallikattu is “cruel per se”

In its 2014 ruling (Animal Welfare Board Of India vs A. Nagaraja & Ors), the Supreme Court of India confirmed that Jallikattu is “cruel per se” and therefore illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA). With this ruling, the Supreme Court struck down the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009, which had sought to permit the holding of bull races. The review petition filed by the state of Tamil Nadu in an attempt to overturn the court order was dismissed by the court on 16 November 2016. In 2011, the Indian central government had already banned the use of bulls in events by means of a notification issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. More on the animal welfare issue.