Running of the Bulls festival to change format this year

Organizers of the annual Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona, Spain have said that from next year the format of the centuries-old tradition will change. Speaking to Spanish daily El Pais, President of the Running of the Bulls organizing committee Roberto Perez said: 

"Although this is our culture and we are proud of it, it is a well-known fact that throughout the years many innocent people have lost their lives in the run; whether it is by getting gored to death by the bulls or by being trampled by other runners. So in order to cut down on the number of potential deaths and serious injuries, as of 2017 the Running of the Bulls festival will now feature pit-bulls instead of the bovine beasts. This way less people will lose their lives and our great country's reputation will remain intact."

The announcement has received mixed reviews from the Spanish public. One Pamplona resident who refused to be named but who regularly takes part in the annual run said: 

"I have no problem with the move. I am always willing to embrace change. Change is the only thing that is constant. In fact, I kinda like the idea of having to outrun pit-bulls. That way I will have a much better chance of escaping unscathed and of course surviving." 

The resident concluded, as he pointed to a scar on his right arm he got two years ago after being gored by a bull during the run.

Some residents though are not very accepting of the impending change. Another regular participant in the Bull Run named Antonio Dominguez had this to say: 

"This is a very proud Spanish tradition that goes back to the 14th century and you want to change it because some people are too slow to outrun a 2400-pound bull? What utter madness. Hemingway must be turning in his grave."