16 Aug 2011

Killer bull claims third victim

9:53 am on 16 August 2011

A bull with a fearsome record in Spain has claimed another victim.

'Raton' ('Mouse') killed a man during an amateur event at a fiesta late on Saturday in the town of Xativa in the region of Valencia.

The animal has killed twice before in the last 10 years and is a big draw for both bull-fighters and crowds.

The BBC reports his reputation ensures he is in big demand. 'Raton' weighs more than 500kg and his owners are said to earn more than $US14,000 for every appearance.

Video images showed the bull lifting the man on his horns and tossing him in the ring before attacking him further.

The man was dragged out of the ring but later died.

Local media reports say he had appeared to be drunk and had already been removed from the ring several times before the bull appeared.