The spotlight has been placed on the authorities of the municipality of Jerez and the government of the state of Zacatecas after a series of images and a video went viral depicting acts of torture and animal abuse during the massive horse parade held last year at the Spring Fair.
Since last Saturday, images began circulating showing a donkey struggling to pull an excessively heavy load, due to the fact that a cart with five men on top of it, as well as some coolers, was placed on it.
However, it has caused even greater outrage when a video circulated in which the donkey can be seen becoming exhausted and the men beginning to jump on the cart, causing the donkey to fall. However, it is then forced to stand up and is forced to continue pulling the heavy cart with the men on top, who even jump on it.
All of these acts of animal cruelty took place before the eyes of municipal and state authorities, but none did anything to stop these barbaric acts.
This has led many local and national animal rights activists to speak out against these acts and demand that these traditions and parades “no longer allow these abuses.”
One of them is actor and environmental influencer Arturo Islas Allende, who stated on social media that “this isn’t folklore, it’s torture,” and also questioned the Zacatecas authorities about whether there was a way to rescue “that poor animal.”
He added: “Perhaps tradition doesn’t end with putting them to work; their souls and bodies must be broken into a thousand pieces. These abuses must no longer be allowed! (…) It really broke my heart to see that poor animal’s face. I suppose you felt the same. Didn’t anyone in the crowd realize it was a cruel and abusive act?”
SILENCE OF THE AUTHORITY
So far, no authority from either the municipality of Jerez, which is in charge of organizing this fair, or the state government, has issued a statement. The Ministry of Water and Environment is responsible for enforcing the Law for the Protection and Welfare of Animals in the State of Zacatecas, which requires the protection of the well-being and lives of animals, in addition to preventing abuse and cruelty.
It is worth mentioning that this festival is a tradition that takes place every year on Holy Saturday in the municipality of Jerez. Horses are used for riders to ride during the Judas parade, followed by the massive Charro Cavalcade, which brings together thousands of visitors and more than a thousand horses. This fair is also attended by charrería artists from various states across the country. It is also a festival that allows families from Zacatecas to reunite with those of migrants residing in the United States.
However, in recent years, it has also been reported that the festival has increasingly been the subject of reports of animal abuse. Hundreds of horses are subjected to stress from the burning of gunpowder due to their long hours of participation, and many suffer constant falls because there is no evidence that their hooves are properly protected to allow them to travel on the cobblestone streets.
Source: eluniversal
