A petition requesting for bullfighting to not be declared as part of the cultural heritage of Baja California, has now been circulating on the Internet and is being directed to Jose Guadalupe Osuna Millan, current governor of the State and Kiko Vega, the new governor-elect.

The measure was created by ProvidAnimal Tj, Humane Society of Tijuana and Movimiento Toro Vivo, all local associations who are seek for the protections of animals. Tijuana citizens have also participated in demonstrations for bullfighting, which are no longer held and banned in states like Sonora and Michoacan.

"We are aware that there are some interests from the Governor in the coming months to declare bullfighting as part of the Cultural Heritage of the State of Baja California, Mexico. Through this declaration, this kind of cruel "shows" would be adopted by the State Government promoting cruelty, violence and animal abuse for the amusement of a few", said in the petition.

The petition also notes that studies conducted by specialists such as sociologists and legislators, have shown that acts of cruelty to animals may be the first warning sign of a violent disease that may lead to human victims.

One of the institutions in support of bullfighting to be part of the cultural heritage of the state is the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), whose dean, Felipe Cuamea, voted in favor of the measure. The Architect Sergio Ivan Marquez Gutierrez, President of ProvidAnimal Tijuana, made a public complaint and requested for the head of the university to give the reasons of why the UABC supported this decision.

To view or sign the petition, click here.

Brenda.Colon@sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@Sandiegored.com