‘Historic’ dwarf bullfighting troupe have their show cancelled by the Spanish government after activists brand practice ‘cruel and degrading’

• The mini-matadors said they have become the ‘victims’ of so-called do-gooders
• READ MORE: France welcomes banned Spanish troupe of dwarf bullfighters 

A historic dwarf bullfighting troupe has had their show cancelled by the Spanish government following outcry from woke activists who branded practice as ‘cruel and degrading’.

The mini-matadors said they have become the ‘victims’ of so-called do-gooders, who complained it was humiliating for little people to take part in such a performance.

But they insist they are ‘entirely happy’ and don’t feel at all degraded, adding that banning their show signalled ‘a total lack of respect’ for their feelings.

Their popular routine sees them dressed in gaudy clothes while heavily made-up, darting about the ring and leaping skillfully out of the path of charging bulls.

Daniel Calderon – a bullfighter and manager of the company, Diversiones en el Ruedo comedy troupe, insisted: ‘It shows a complete lack of respect and freedom’

A troupe of dwarf bullfighters are fuming after a regional Spanish government banned their comedic show

Above all, they insist they do not actually harm the animals.

But now the event, scheduled for Murcia’s bullring, next Wednesday, has been cancelled.

It comes after an official complaint was filed by an animal protection group to the region’s acting president, Fernando Lopez Miras.

The Franz Weber foundation made their plea to the Ministry of Social Rights, as well as the Disabled Persons Directorate at the Murcia government headquarters.

The foundation described the shows as ‘degrading’ for the dwarfs and a ‘cruel mockery’.

They cited a section of Spain’s General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that specifically vetoes ‘any bullfighting show in which there is mockery, ridicule or humiliation for people with functional diversity’.

Members of the “toreros comicos” of the “Diversiones en el ruedo” Spanish troupe perform during the Thethieu festival in Tethieu, southwestern France, last month

Their popular routine sees members of the troupe darting about the ring and leaping skillfully out of the path of charging bulls

The troupe’s director said: ‘We are skilled professionals who work hard and entertain like other performers’

Spain’s parliament saw its Senate upper house back a measure last April to ban such events but the move still has to be approved by the lower house.

Daniel Calderon – a bullfighter and manager of the company, Diversiones en el Ruedo comedy troupe, insisted: ‘It shows a complete lack of respect and freedom.

‘We are skilled professionals who work hard and entertain like other performers.’

He added: ‘All those who enter the ring are registered as bullfighters at Spain’s Ministry of Culture, whatever size they are, and we enter of our own free will.

‘Surely it’s discrimination to stop us from doing so?’

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