Court rejects bid to ban bullfighting

The Constitutional Council has upheld the right to host bullfights in parts of France. It rejected a legal challenge by two animal rights groups against a practice that advocates say is part of some regions' cultural heritage.

Opponents had sought to ban bullfighting based on the criminal code that forbids cruelty to animals. But the legal text also allows for exceptions in the case where such events can be shown to be part of local tradition. The Constitutional Council upheld the validity of that legislation. Bull–fighting is especially popular in the Nimes and Arles areas.

AP