Spanish Matador under fire for fighting bull with baby
Francisco Rivera Ordóñez posted this image to Instagram with the caption: " Carmen's debut, it is the 5th generation of bullfighting in our family. My grandfather bullfighting with my father. My father bullfighting with me, and I have done it with my daughter Cayetana and now with Carmen."(Instagram/f.r.paquirri)
A bullfighter has attracted criticism after posting an image of himself fighting a bull, while holding his five-month-old daughter, to Instagram.
The image, captioned “Carmen’s debut”, has sparked debate on the matter in Spain and the Andalucian child protection agency has said it’s investigating whether matador Francisco Rivera Ordóñez has broken any laws.
But Rivera claims he did not put his daughter at risk.
“There is no safer place for her to be than in my arms,” he said.
Ironically the bullfighter was forced to undergo lifesaving surgery last year after being gored by a bull.
He also pointed to his family’s history of bullfighting in the image’s caption.
“This is Carmen’s debut, the fifth bullfighting generation in my family. My grandfather did the same with my father, my father with me and me with my daughter Cayetana, and now Carmen,” Rivera said.
His father, Francisco Rivera Pérez, was killed after being gored by a bull in 1984.
However, his image has drawn criticism from the government and animal activists.
“It isn’t right in any circumstances to put a child at risk,” Spanish Minister of Social Security Alfonso Alonso said.
Comedian Ricky Gervais, who is well known for his animal rights activism, said the image was
Animal rights group PACMA has said the actions are not the way to teach children to respect animals.
But other bullfighters have come to Rivera’s defence, posting images of themselves holding children in the ring, including Manuel Diaz who posted a photo of himself carrying his daughter.
“What’s the problem in showing our children a profession that we love and is filled with values?” Diaz said.
Defenders of the actual act of bullfighting have pointed to the increased quality of life for fighting bulls, who generally roam free on pastures and live longer when compared to cattle raised in factory conditions and killed in abattoirs.
However opponents say the extended mental and physical suffering of the bull in the lead-up and duration of the fight is barbaric.
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