El Consejo de Convivencia, Defensa y Protección de los Animales del Ayuntamiento de Barcelona approved on May 28 a statement against the use of animals in the Tres Tombs festivity.
The proposal was presented by INTERCIDS and DEPANA, and received a broad majority, with the only abstention from representatives of VOX, Junts, and the Barcelona Zoo.
The statement will be submitted to the government team and municipal groups, with the aim of presenting a formal motion in the Plenary. If approved, it would mean the end of public funding and licenses for this activity in the city.
Arguments of the statement
The Council based its decision on the impossibility of guaranteeing animal welfare in this type of celebrations:
- Nature of the horse: as prey and gregarious animals, horses are extremely sensitive to noise, crowds, and forced handling, which causes them distress and stress.
- Physical suffering: slips on asphalt, lameness, excessive sweating, and pain from the use of steel bits and serretas have been documented.
- Risks for people: in 2024, two horses suddenly died during the festivity, highlighting the danger to the public and the occupants of the carriages.
Barcelona and its animal-friendly commitment
The city declared itself a “Friend of Animals City” in 1996. According to INTERCIDS and DEPANA, maintaining the use of animals in the Tres Tombs contradicts that image. The proposal seeks to transform the festivity with safe and creative alternatives:
- Mechanically drawn floats.
- Artistic recreations.
- Audio-visual projections.
In this way, the original sense of the tradition would be preserved without causing animal suffering.
Precedents in Catalonia
There are already numerous examples in municipalities such as Mataró, Vic, Gavà, and Arenys de Mar, where the parade with animals was suspended or alternatives were introduced.
Barcelona would thus join a regional trend towards celebrations free of mistreatment.
Documentary “Desmuntant els Tres Tombs”
The approval of the statement coincides with the premiere of the documentary Desmuntant els Tres Tombs, produced by INTERCIDS and published on YouTube on May 16. The report gathers testimonies from veterinarians, ethologists, jurists, and citizens, along with documented images over the years in different localities of Catalonia.
The statement by the Animal Protection Council marks a decisive step towards a Barcelona consistent with its commitment to animal welfare.
The motion to be presented to the Plenary could transform the Tres Tombs into a renewed, culturally rich festivity free of suffering, consolidating the city as a reference in animal protection policies.
