A Spanish court has suspended the celebration of Toro Jubilo, a popular festival in the town of Medinaceli (central Spain) where a bull runs through the streets with flaming balls on its horns, prioritizing "animal welfare" over tradition. The judge who reviewed the case determined in his ruling that the welfare of the animal, considered a "sentient being", must take precedence over the interests of public administrations until a final resolution is reached regarding the lawsuit between PACMA and the Medinaceli City Council.
The court accepted a request from the animalist party PACMA, considering "the physical integrity, welfare, and life of the animal" worthy of greater protection. Animal rights advocates argue for the definitive elimination of the festival, while municipal authorities oppose it. The Toro Jubilo of Medinaceli has been celebrated since the 16th century and has been surrounded by controversy for years.
During the celebration, the animal is tied to a wooden post and covered with clay to prevent burns. Young men place a metal rod with two large balls made of resin, created with tow, turpentine, and sulfur, on its horns, which are lit before releasing the bull, usually near midnight.