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Appallingly, Old Tucson Studios in Southern Arizona is holding a Bull Run Festival in May 2025 in honor of Cinco de Mayo, which markets itself as the “ultimate family event” and is based on the annual Running of the Bulls event in Pamplona, Spain. Urge the cancellation of this event, which is dangerous to the human participants and traumatizing to the innocent animals who are exploited for entertainment and profit.

The Bull Run Festival has held six previous events in Arizona and Nevada over the last three decades, but this is its first in the Tucson area. The Cinco de Mayo Bull Run Festival will be held on May 3 and 4 at Old Tucson Studios and will involve 12 bulls chasing participants ages 18 and older through a quarter-mile, 15-foot wide run.

There will be 11 bull runs over the weekend, occurring every hour on the hour. It is being touted as a historic event and described as an action-packed weekend of events for the whole family that features entertainment and bull runs for thrill seekers. Activities include bands, dancers, cowboy shoot-outs, and a Kids Zone with food trucks, exhibitors, and merchandise. Bull running is not the only part of this event that exploits animals. Bull roping and a petting zoo are also on the list of entertainment.

The Bull Run Festival website states:

For over 400 years adrenaline junkies from around the world have traveled to Pamplona, Spain to experience this special opportunity. Now you don't have to travel to Spain anymore. You can experience the adrenaline rush of running with real bulls in Tucson, AZ, USA.

Get ready to run with some of the biggest, baddest, fastest, meanest bulls in the country. 12 – 1500 lb. bulls will be in each 1/4-mile run. Released in 3 waves of 4. Bulls with names like Dooms Day, Tank and Armor.

Historically, the famous bull run in Pamplona, Spain, is dangerous, with “thrill seekers” suffering bruising and other injuries. There is footage of participants stumbling and covering their heads, avoiding the bulls' horns, and narrowly escaping being trampled. Deaths have even occurred. While the setting in Tucson is much different than the narrow, cobbled streets in Spain, the danger and risk of injury still exist.

Regarding the unwilling animal “participants,” the bulls are subjected to fear, stress, and trauma due to the chaotic, loud, and crowded environment. Bull runs have no place in a progressive, modern society. We must stop this archaic event in its tracks and prevent Tucson from holding this festival that terrorizes innocent animals and promotes a dangerous atmosphere.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Cancel Cruel and Dangerous Bull Run Festival in Tucson

As someone concerned about animal welfare and human safety and one of more than 250,000 In Defense of Animals supporters, I urge you to cancel the Cinco de Mayo Bull Run Festival in Tucson, Arizona. By allowing the Bull Run Festival to occur at your venue, you are complicit in supporting animal cruelty. This event is dangerous to human participants and traumatizing to the innocent animals who are being exploited for entertainment and profit. 

Historically, the bull run in Pamplona, Spain is dangerous, with “thrill seekers” suffering bruising and other injuries. Participants stumble and cover their heads, avoiding the bulls’ horns and narrowly escaping being trampled. Deaths have even occurred. While the setting in Tucson is much different than the narrow, cobbled streets in Spain, the danger and risk of injury still exist. 

The bulls are subjected to fear, stress, and trauma due to the chaotic, loud, and crowded environment. Bull runs have no place in a progressive, modern society. Please stop this archaic, dangerous, and exploitative event in its tracks and prevent Tucson from holding this festival that traumatizes innocent animals and promotes a dangerous atmosphere.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

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