8 FIRS Filed During Avaniapuram Jallikattu

DAY 1 

At the same jallikattu event where a bull died from a head-on collision with a moving passenger bus last year in Avaniapuram, this year eight First Information Reports (FIR) were lodged with the Avaniapuram police by an Animal Welfare Board of India–certified Honorary Animal Welfare Officer for violations of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. A news report claimed 35 people, including 15 spectators were injured during the event. The animal welfare officer observed that one police sub-inspector and three police constables were hurt.

Bull forcibly fed suspicious liquid (likely alcohol).

Participant biting bull’s tail.

Person injured during jallikattu.

The FIRs were filed for illegal and violent acts against the bulls, including hitting them, twisting their tails, jabbing them with weapons, yanking their nose ropes and beating them. It was also observed that a bull ran into a parked police car outside the collection area, that bulls’ tails were bitten inside the vadi vasal, and that suspicious liquids (likely alcohol) were forcibly fed to the bulls before they entered the vadi vaasal. Animal Husbandry Department officials seized liquor from bull owners who were accompanying the animals in the waiting area.

Although the Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a notification that banned the use of bulls as performing animals – thereby banning jallikattu – jallikattu events are still held throughout the state. Jallikattu supporters claim that the events are being held under High Court and Supreme Court guidelines. However, PETA contends that the guidelines are meaningless because they do not prevent the cruelty to animals inherent during jallikattu or stop participants and spectators from getting hurt. In addition, the basic guidelines – which state that efforts should be taken to ensure that the bulls are not tortured in any way, that there must be a collection yard that prevents the animals from straying outside it and that the bulls must be tied in the yards and given sufficient fodder – were disregarded at this event. During jallikattu, terrified bulls are chased, kicked, punched, jumped on, dragged to the ground and otherwise tormented – actions that violate The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

PETA continues to seek a complete ban on jallikattu. You can help.