Bayonne Festival bull gores president of French bullfighting association

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Dominique Perron was attacked at the Bayonne Festival on Sunday night
He suffered a fractured right leg and a dislocated ankle after being gorged
The bull also gorged Roger Martin's testicles, who was sat next to Perron
Mr Perron had praised the friendliness of bullfighting festival in a speech

By Peter Allen In Paris For The Daily Mail

Published: 07:54 EST, 3 August 2015 | Updated: 08:52 EST, 3 August 2015

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Gorged: A bull attacked Dominique Perron, president of a Paul Ricard bullfighting association in France

The president of a bullfighting club was gored by a bull after it jumped out of the ring and attacked him.

Dominique Perron, president of his local Paul Ricard bullfighting association, suffered serious injuries after being charged at the Bayonne Festival, in south west of France, on Sunday night.

Roger Martin, a photographer sitting alongside him, was first of all gorged in the testicles, and then suffered horrific wounds all the way up to his stomach.

‘Mr Perron was hit second,’ said one of the visitors to the festival. ‘He was hit hard in the right leg, which was badly fractured. His ankle was also dislocated, and there may be other injuries.

‘Mr Perron was clearly in massive pain, and was screaming and shouting as the attack happened. He was naturally very frightened.’

The source added: ‘Neither of the men had time to hide behind the wooden barriers set up to protect people.

'Mr Martin is in a very bad way, though his injuries are not life threatening.’

Both victims were rescued, and then rushed to hospital, where they underwent treatment. The bull was killed soon afterwards.

Mr Perron is a massive bullfighting enthusiast, and regularly promotes his local club, which is sponsored by the pastis manufacturer, Paul Ricard.

In a recent speech he spoke of the ‘spirit of conviviality’ which brings followers of the controversial pastime together.

The ancient city of Bayonne has been at the centre of bullfighting in France ever since it was imported over the border from Spain.

Bayonne’s first bull run took place in a central square in 1701, and was held in honour of King Philip V of Spain.

Festival: The attack happened at the Bayonne Festival in south west France. The ancient city has been at the centre of bullfighting in France ever since it was imported over the border from Spain hundreds of years ago

Victim: Mr Perron is a massive bullfighting enthusiast and regularly promotes his local club, which is sponsored by the pastis manufacturer, Paul Ricard, recently praising the 'spirit of conviviality' at events

American writer Ernest Hemingway was among those who romanticised the blood sport in France, but it is now regularly attacked for being cruel.

Bullfighting is known as ‘Corrida’ in France, and is illegal in most of the country, with those participating without permission facing two year prison sentences.

But a special judicial exemption has allowed it to continue in towns and cities such as Arles, Nimes and Bayonne, as well as smaller villages.

Taunted: Bulls are often stabbed to death in front of thousands of spectators after taking part in the festivals

Caught on camera: The dangers of tormening a bull

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Bulls are regularly taunted and stabbed to death in front of thousands of cheering spectators.

Speaking about the blood sport’s French fans last year, animal welfare campaigner Carole Raphaelle Davis said: ‘They are vile. They are a crude bunch, French hillbillies.’