I named this bull Mr. T.
Who says there’s nothing to to on a Friday afternoon in the UAE? I was cruising the east coast of the UAE with my friend Richard about two weeks ago when we came across what seemed like an open field surrounded by hundreds of people peering into a small arena. At first I thought we came upon a small local camel race but upon exiting the car and walking over, noticed several bulls tied up along the perimeter of the fenced in field.
Bloodless bullfights
Welcome to the UAE’s version of bullfighting. Before you get upset, you have to realize that here the bull does not get killed, nor is it injured in any way. This is an actual bull fight. Two bulls are brought into the arena and they “fight” by facing each other, locking horns and PUSHING. It’s sort of a push-of -war, the bull who causes the other to back up wins. Or so it seems. There is a referee who decides who is declared the winner and keeps the bulls facing each other.
Spectators with a deathwish.
Most of the spectators are safely outside the fence, but a collection of spectators (VIP’s, bull owners, daredevils?) are sitting in the arena a few feet from the fighting bulls. The most entertaining part of the afternoon was watching these internal spectators scramble when the bulls got too close or when one got free from it’s restraints and charged the crowd.
Well, I have to say it is better than in Spain where the bull is going to lose the fight and die 99% of the time by the swords of a man. I don’t get upset at all if the bullfighter gets his gonads served to the bull that small 1% of the time.
I am an animal lover and can’t stand to watch any type of abuse on animals who would never hurt anyone/anything if they just didn’t have the urge to stop the constant hunger pang undulating in their stomachs. Animals that are fed enough that they don’t have to hunt their food are much better companions to have than other people. The animals have nothing but love and loyality for their keepers.