State reigns in running of the bulls

Friday, June 5, 1998 | 5:21 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state Transportation Department Friday denied a permit for the July 11 Pamplona-style running of the bulls on the main street in Mesquite.

"The applicants had indicated that 12 bulls would chase 1,000 people through the main road of Mesquite in front of 5,000 spectators," Deputy Director Jeff Fontaine said. "It's our decision that a state highway (S.R. 144) should not be used for a risky event such as this."

Gov. Bob Miller, who is chairman of the state Transportation Board, said he agreed.

"I do not believe the state should sanction a spectacle in which the whole idea is to expose people to the danger of charging bulls."

The application, submitted by promoter Phil Immordino, president of Running of the Bulls, America Inc. of Phoenix, Ariz., requested a temporary occupany permit to stage the event similar to the one held in Pamplona, Spain. Fontaine said serious injuries and deaths have occurred at that event.

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