Lorraine Williamson
A 70-year-old man has died after being attacked by a bull on a livestock farm in Cantabria, in an incident that unfolded in the locality of Puente Arce (Piélagos). What was initially treated as an unexplained death with signs of trauma has now been confirmed as a fatal animal attack.
The man was found on Monday, 26 January 2026, at around 2.00 pm, inside the farm’s housing area for animals. Emergency services were alerted shortly afterwards, but he could not be saved.
What happened in Puente Arce
According to reports carried by Spanish media citing sources consulted by Europa Press, a family member discovered the man’s body in the farm’s stable area at approximately 2.00 pm. The 112 emergency centre received the call at about 2.15 pm and mobilised medical assistance.
Given the presence of animals on the property, responders also requested support from local police. At the time, investigators said no immediate signs were pointing to a criminal act, and the precise cause of death was left to the autopsy.
Autopsy confirms fatal bull attack
By today, Tuesday, 27 January, the post-mortem findings clarified what had happened. The autopsy concluded the man died from multiple traumatic injuries (“politraumatismo”) after being attacked by a bull.
One report said the animal was subsequently taken to a slaughterhouse.
A reminder of the risks behind rural work
Cantabria’s cattle sector is a visible part of the region’s rural economy and identity. Yet incidents like this underline a quieter reality: the day-to-day risks faced on small farms, particularly when older residents continue hands-on work with large animals.
Unlike the highly policed bull runs of summer fiestas, farm settings can be informal, routine, and deceptively familiar—right up until something spooks an animal or a moment’s balance is lost.
What authorities are likely to focus on next
Investigations in cases like this typically concentrate on practical facts: where the victim was positioned, whether the bull was separated, how the enclosure was secured, and what may have triggered the animal’s reaction. For now, the key confirmed point is the cause of death: a bull attack resulting in fatal multiple injuries.
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