Spears Found At Bullfight Near Turlock Prompt Investigation

STEVINSON (CBS13) — An alleged bloodless bullfight near Turlock is under investigation after investigators confiscated dozens of spiked spears.

Bullfights are legal in California, but they're supposed to be bloodless.

Sheriff's deputies got a tip that bullfighters at an arena in Stevinson were planning to use sharp spears on the bulls on Monday night. The event was rented out to a church from Turlock.

The sheriff showed off dozens of banderas confiscated by deputies. The banderas are tipped with velcro that's supposed to attach to a patch of felt on the bull's neck and back. But below that velcro were sharp spears designed to pierce the animal's skin and draw blood.

The bloodless bullfights are part of a Portuguese tradition and part of a religious celebration.

Dario Costa is part of the organization that runs the bullfighting arena. He says his organization didn't know the bullfighters planned to break the law. He had no idea they were intending to draw blood.

The sheriff plans to have a veterinarian at future bullfights to check the animals and make sure they aren't injured.

When deputies went to inspect the bulls on Tuesday, they were told they had all been sold.