Humane Society against bull run in casino town

Tuesday, May 26, 1998 | 9:05 a.m.

The organization claims plans to let a dozen range bulls chase runners in Mesquite would endanger bulls and participants alike.

The Mesquite City Council is voting today whether to approve plans by Phil Immordino's Phoenix company to charge 1,000 riders $50 each to be chased by bulls as part of a Western festival in July.

"This ludicrous proposal and its originator should be run out of town," said Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president of the Humane Society.

Immordino, though, said the animal rights organization does not understand his proposal.

"It's not anything like Spain," Immordino said. "There is no cruelty. They're simply going to run down the street.

If Immordino can convince the council in Mesquite, population 10,000, that he has covered all the safety and liability bases, the bull run would be held July 11.

At least 13 people have been killed in the runs in Pamplona, Spain, since records were begun in 1924. The Pamplona event dates to 1591, when daredevils began running alongside when the animals were being driven through town to bullfights.

Immordino said all precautions will be taken to make the Mesquite event safe, including tamer bulls and no alcohol for the runners.

Immordino, whose company promotes bull-riding events around the country, tried to sell the bull run idea to Phoenix and Long Beach, Calif., before turning to Mesquite.

Long Beach backed out after animal rights groups protested, he said. In Phoenix, the issue was safety.