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It's a No to Bullfighting But Throwing Ducks Might be OK...
Confusing messages regarding animal rights in the Santa Margarita area
In recent weeks the municipality of Santa Margarita in the North of Mallorca has declared itself an anti-bullfighting community and they are working to ensure that a ban is pronounced across the region.
However, the council is also currently fighting to bring back the controversial 'duck throwing' in the coastal town of Can Picafort. This seems to be very contradictory from an animal rights point of view.
The 'Amollada de Patos' which takes place annually on the 15th August in the coastal town in honour of 'Mare de Deu', Mary, the mother of Jesus, was introduced in the 1930's. Live ducks are thrown from a boat out at sea and the young folk of the town swim out to chase and catch the ducks. After the threat of fines from the Balearic Government and complaints from animal activists, the town made the change a few years ago to using plastic or rubber ducks instead of live ducks. The introduction of the plastic ducks upset many Can Picafort locals who feel that this is a custom and town tradition that should not be changed.
The Animal Welfare Act passed by the Balearic Government allows the use of live animals as long as the tradition is at least one hundred years old and does not constitute an abuse of live beings. The Deputy Mayor who has championed the return of live ducks has stated that it is not mistreatment because no animals are killed. A controversial opinion.
Those opposed to the re-introduction are proud not to be using live ducks are have said that since they started using the plastic ducks there has been more community involvement and more child participation which they see as a very positive change. They also feel that the government will not change the law and so the municipality will be at risk of receiving government fines.
The motion however, was passed that the re-introduction of live ducks should be considered and a petition made to the government for an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act to include this tradition even though it is not over 100 years old.
