Gendarmerie forces arrested a well-known bullfighter in Portugal on Wednesday. He is suspected of mistreating malnourished dogs. Joao Moura, a 59-year-old professional racer, admitted to local media that he had been arrested.
Gendarmes from a unit dedicated to protecting animals arrested him at his home and confiscated 18 “malnourished” greyhounds. The dogs lived in “unsanitary” conditions, according to a Gendarmerie press release.
“I did not mistreat my dogs.”
The file was handed over to the courts. A bullfighter can be prosecuted for cruelty to animals, a crime punishable by two years in prison. The bullfighter told the bullfighting website: “I had dogs that were a little thinner and someone reported him, that’s all.” Farbas. “I did not kill anyone, I did not steal anyone, and I did not mistreat my dogs.” According to a Portuguese channel, one of his dogs died on Thursday.
During his long career, João Moura has performed in arenas throughout Portugal, Spain and Latin America. In 2013, his son caused a stir by posting photos on Facebook of a pack of bulls attacking a cow on his rural property.
In Portugal, killing bulls in the arena has been prohibited since the 18th century. The final act of the bullfight is played by Forcados, whose role is to immobilize the beast with their bare hands in a symbolic death. Before they enter, a bullfighter on horseback plants ganglia on the animal's back. The practice, opposed by some animal protection movements, is generally tolerated by the rest of Portuguese society.
