Brazil, Don't Allow Cultural Exception to Ban on Animal Abuse!
- by: Susan V
- recipient: Brazilian Congress and President Temer
Ignoring overwhelming public opposition, Brazil's senators just approved a bill that would allow animal cruelty. According to World Animal Protection, the amendment would legalize "horrifically cruel animal practices in the name of culture, including 'Vaquejada."
Considered a cultural tradition in Northeast Brazil, Vaquejada is a brutal sport that involves men on horseback chasing bulls, pulling their tails and throwing them to the ground. WAP explains that this practice can cause extreme pain because of the nerve endings in a bull‘s tail, not to mention stress to the bulls and the horses. Some bulls “have even had tails ripped off, due to the brutality.”
This new legislation was approved by vote at the end of November just after the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court ruled to ban Vaquejada the previous month. WAP says both the Brazilian Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine and the federal court have condemned Vaquejadas because of the cruelty involved. And over 60,000 Brazilians have voiced their objections through official surveys, adds WAP.
The proposal must still go through the Brazilian Congress and President Michel Temer for approval. However, says WAP, Temer has "sadly supported Vaquejadas so far."
Sign this petition to demand the Brazilian Congress and President Temer reject this amendment that would allow a cultural exemption to the ban on animal abuse.
To the Congress of Brazil and President Temer;
The photographs of this so-called cultural event speak volumes of the brutality it endorses. There is simply no excuse for continuning to allow this kind of animal cruely in a civilized society.
The Brazilian Supreme Court, the Brazilain Council of Veterinary Medicine and the Brazilain people have all clearly noted their opposition to any amendment allowing an exception to the Constitution's ban on animal abuse based on cultural grounds or any other grounds.
I and those supporting this petition join in this protest and demend you reject ahy bill seeking any exception that would allow cruel treament of animals.
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