Catalan town of Amposta erupts over fire bulls' fate

A bull with flaming horns runs during Toro Embolao in Amposta Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP A reveller challenges a bull with flaming horns, known as 'bou embolat' Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters The bull enters the ring Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters People run near a bull with flaming horns Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP Spectators and spectated look on during Toro Embolao in Amposta Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP Animal rights campaigners insist that both fire bulls and 'rope bulls' – who, in another tradition, are dragged down Catalan streets by ropes tied to their horns – suffer badly Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP Nine bull ranches in the region are devoted to producing animals for the fiestas Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters The debate reflects complex Catalan identity politics Photograph: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images