Motivated by greed
I REFER to the report headlined, 'Mainland organisers hope to bring bullfights to territory', which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on January 2 and the photograph which accompanied it.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) totally condemns the use of animals in this way and is appalled that in modern times, men can still derive such obvious pleasure from the infliction of pain and others from watching it.
We suspect that the development of 'tribal traditions' is very much a secondary motive to that of commercial gain in this case and profits from gambling are the organisers' prime concern.
Thankfully, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance clearly makes the causing of unnecessary suffering an offence and the RSPCA has asked the Agriculture and Fisheries Department for its firm assurance that bullfighting will therefore never be allowed in Hong Kong. We appeal also to travellers to mainland China to boycott such sadistic exhibitions and protest to the authorities who permit them to be staged.
DOREEN DAVIES Executive Director RSPCA
