Not long to go ...
Xabi Lizarraga
In Sanfermines 2007 some snapshots taken after the bulls had already passed by, and which showed the release of the final group of bell-oxen, used to "sweep up" any potentially loose bulls along the course, caused some controversy. The snapshots showed a man running in front of the meek bell-oxen along side his ten-year-old son. This incident caused the ex-wife and mother of the boy to lodge a legal charge against the man for allowing the under aged boy to run. It is a well-known fact that under aged children cannot take part in the running of the bulls and this incident led the court to forbid the father to have further custody of the child. The incident gave rise to a lot of comment around the town. From now on, the Superior Court of Navarra has warned that if a minor is accompanied to the running of the bulls and any kind of injury occurs, this organism will bring the case to court.
The Head Judge, Javier Muñoz, has warned that the person responsible for any kind of criminal negligence will be charged and - should the event arise - even for homicide. But even a case of a "deceitful offence" could be enough to bring a charge against the person because "adults know that there exists a potential danger in these kinds of fiesta events " (the running of the bulls). Muñoz forewarns that there is a double responsibility - "On the one hand, the responsibility of the parents to make sure that they don't encourage or accompany children to these events. And on the other hand, those responsible for organizing these events, who must ensure that children are not allowed to participate in these events"(the running of the bulls).
