Despite legal proceedings and protests from Animal Rights, AnimaNaturalis Spain, Cas-International Netherlands, 'Toro Jubilo' where a bull's horns are set on fire, was once again held in Spain

  Photos: CAS International / AnimaNaturalis / Aitor Garmendia

CAS-International films fire bull Toro Jubilo in Medinaceli, Spain (November 2025) 

This year the event was held despite ongoing legal proceedings and health restrictions due to the outbreak of a livestock disease in the region.

Toro Jubilo

Toro Jubilo is a medieval festival in Medinaceli (province of Soria, region of Castile and León). During the event, a bull's horns are tied to metal frames to which burning logs are attached. These logs are often made of wool or rope soaked in tar. The bull is then released into the town square with the burning logs attached to its horns. The animal, panicking, tries to extinguish the flames.

This year, we once again documented the bull showing clear signs of fear and stress. These images serve as documentation of the extreme animal suffering during Toro Jubilo. We will therefore use them as evidence in ongoing legal proceedings.

The moment the fire is lit (November 2025)

The Castile-León authorities had extended a ban on livestock markets due to health risks.

An outbreak of dermatitis nodularis contagiosa (Nodules Contagious Dermatitis)

 is occurring in the region. This viral disease affects cattle and is characterized by painful,

lumpy swellings on the skin. However, an exception was made for Toro Jubilo, on the pretext that 

all the bulls came from the same farm and were returned afterward

without being mixed with other livestock. This exception was granted due to a ruling by the 

regional Supreme Court. CAS and AnimaNaturalis believe that holding the event posed serious health

risks.

Other legal proceedings initiated by the Spanish animal rights group PACMA are also ongoing . According to an earlier ruling by the court in Soria, the local ordinance allowing the Toro Jubilo was unlawful. The court ruled that this ordinance violated the recognition that animals are sentient beings and must therefore be protected from unnecessary suffering. However, 

the Supreme Court of Castile and León overturned this ruling. PACMA is not letting this rest and has filed a motion to have the case recused. 

The fire bull is completely exhausted at the end of the event 

Our director Maite van Gerwen spoke to German journalist Rebecca Hillauer  about Toro Jubilo. 

 Read her publication about the fire bull in Medinaceli here. 

Petition against EU subsidies

Did you know that your tax money is being used, through European agricultural subsidies, to breed cattle for bullfights and cruel folk festivals in Spain, France, and Portugal? This also applies to the fire bull of Medinaceli.

It's estimated to cost €200 million annually. We believe this must stop. That's why, at CAS International, with the support of the animal welfare organizations AnimaNaturalis (Spain) and ANIMAL (Portugal), we've launched a petition aimed at ending European agricultural subsidies for bull breeders.  Sign our petition here !