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The Animalist Party (PACMA) has filed an official complaint before the Guardia Civil's environmental protection service, SEPRONA concerning the use of Mules in competitions. Apparently, Nerja held a ‘stone-dragging competition’ using mules in June last year. PACMA said after having to request four times “access to public information” it was able to confirm that “there is no record of a federation regulation governing this activity, an essential requirement according to Law 39/2022, on Sports, whose Article 10 establishes that the protection of animals used in competitions must be guaranteed by specific federation regulations.” According to PACMA, “if the absence of such regulation is confirmed,” the event, which was also held in 2025 and denounced by them, it “could constitute a possible case of animal cruelty as defined in Article 340 bis of the Penal Code, since it is an unregulated activity that may have caused injuries to the animals used in it.” In the aforementioned statement, the Head of PACMA, Javier Luna, requested that the necessary steps be taken to clarify the facts and determine the corresponding responsibilities, whether criminal, administrative, or civil. Right, so lets cut through the gobbly gook and get to grips with what the matter is. Firstly PACMA is actually a political party rather than an animal rights NGO, which wants to abolish these kinds of activities involving animals. At the very least, it argues, they should be subjected to strict controls. As for this particular activity that took place, it’s a competition to see what team can drag a bloody great stone over a set distance in the shortest time. PACMA considers that this ‘entertainment’ constitutes animal abuse; a consideration, they say, that is shared by veterinarians, and thus can no longer be justified under the guise of tradition or sport. Now, we all know that Spain had amongst its traditions throwing live goats out of bell towers and ripping the heads of geese, suspended on a rope across a river; a boat would pass under, somebody would grab hold of the bird and hang onto it until it’s head was ripped from its body (Boatman 1 – Goose ). Hell, there was even a priest in one village fiesta who charged 25 pesetas per stone for the lapidation of bunny rabbits. Closer to home, in Almuñécar in the 80s when the August Fair was held where Hotel Playa and Mercadona now stand, there was an attraction with tethered donkeys having to walk round and round, tethered to a sort of merry-go-round, with blaring music and dazzling lights, so that children could ride on them. Things have quietened down since then, although torturing a bull to death is still a lively passtime, subsidised by the Spanish Government thanks to conservatie administration when they were in power, bless their cotton socks. So, back to the dragging of heavy stones by mules in a sort of drag race… no, not dressed up in women’s clothing…. Do try to pay attention! Nerja Town Hall is in the hands of a conservative mayor; a sort of Teflon Don character, considering how he squirmed out of being sent to prison over the illegal-dump affair. His Sports & Popular Traditions Departments, responded last May to PACMA’s complaint, saying that the 5th Stone Pulling Competition with Mules “was held with the corresponding authorisation issued by the Junta de Andalucía,” which is also in the hands of the conservatives under Prime Minister Juanma Moreno. “Furthermore, a registered veterinarian was present during the competition to ensure compliance with the established health and animal welfare requirements,” read the Mayor’s press release, continuing on to state, “Finally, according to the report issued by the aforementioned professional, the event proceeded without any incidents that would constitute a breach of health regulations or the animal welfare standards in force for this type of activity.” The event had the collaboration of the Club Cultural Equitación y Enganche San Isidro, (San Isidro Horse Riding and Carriage Driving Cultural Club) who said that they “had all the necessary permits and authorisations from the Vélez-Málaga Regional Agricultural Office (OCA), as well as veterinary supervision” during the event. Fifteen contestants participated with their mules. “The animals are working animals (beasts of burden); they are not forced at all and If they don’t pull at the very start, they don’t participate. Furthermore, the weights are adjusted according to their age and characteristics.” It’s a centuries-old tradition, and we try to keep it alive, although there are fewer and fewer of us left,” argued this Nerja-based club. They also organised a Spanish-style riding competition each yeare. “PACMA doesn’t complain about that,” added, with a touch of sarcasm, perhaps, the riding club. (News: Nerja, Axarquia, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia) Keywords: PACMA, Mules, Pulling-Stones Competition, Guardia Civil, Seprona, Denounced. news, andalucia, malaga, costa del sol, axarquia, nerja, PACMA, mules, pulling-stones competition, guardia civil, seprona, denounced. Reader’s comment: “Can I suggest, while we are discussing the preservation of ancient traditions, that we consider the revival of the stocks (I’m not sure if Spain had a tradition of using stocks as was common in England…) where we could perhaps hold an annual poll for the most deserving local politician who would be locked in the stocks for a day and the population invited to pelt them with stale eggs, rotten fruit etc. Oh no I was forgetting, I’m sure that I read somewhere that there is legislation prohibiting this type of barbaric behaviour. It’s an attractive thought though!” – George
