For elephants, the constant travel the circus demands translates into abysmal living conditions such as fetid, windowless railroad cars and constant chaining. Behind the scenes life worsens for the elephants as trainers commonly use weapons called bullhooks to beat elephants into submission making them perform unnatural acts such as standing on their heads or dancing. Bullhooks are homemade tools of cruelty that are heavy and have a very sharp hook on the end. By hooking an elephant in the mouth, around the eyes or behind the ears and causing extreme pain and even drawing blood, a trainer can successfully intimidate elephants into performing. By routinely beating elephants and even having baby elephants suddenly die, Ringling Brother's is clearly in violation of the law.
Every ticket sold to the circus perpetuates the abuse of animals.
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