MEXICO CITY – Humane Society International welcomes the introduction of a bullfighting ban initiative by Congresswoman Leticia Varela and Frente Ciudadano Pro Derecho Animal in Mexico City Congress today. The initiative amends Mexico City’s Public Spectacles and Animal Protection bills to ban any spectacle involving animal abuse and killing, including bullfighting and cockfighting. The bill was endorsed by MORENA (Movimiento Regeneración Nacional), PVEM (Partido Verde Ecologista de México) and PRD (Partido de la Revolución Democrática), three major parties in the local congress.

Anton Aguilar, executive director of HSI/Mexico, said: “This is a significant step forward toward ending the cruel killing of bulls in bullfights once and for all in Mexico City. The majority of Mexicans are against animal cruelty in spectacles and don’t want to see them take place in Mexico.” According to Parametría, a leading polling agency, 73 percent of Mexicans support a nationwide ban on bullfighting.

The Mexico City Constitution, which was enacted last year, recognized animals as sentient beings and paved the way for ending animal cruelty in public spectacles. HSI/Mexico was heavily involved in crafting the animal protection language enshrined in the new constitution.

Sonora was the first Mexican state to ban bullfights in 2013. Guerrero and Coahuila followed in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Media Contact: Magaly Garibay, (+52 55) 5211 8731, ext. 104, mgaribay@idee.agency