One day we had her in the ring for training. She could not do her tricks and ran out of the ring afraid of punishment. We caught her, brought her back, forced her to the ground and began to punish her for being so stupid. Suddenly, we stopped hitting her and looked at each other. Sadie was crying like a human being.
Training is designed to trigger fear and aggression impulses.
Sometimes physical force is used, or animals are deprived of food or company, until the animal only has to see a particular action from the trainer to immediately respond as required. A recent video, filmed undercover, revealed a circus worker beating a llama around the head and chest. Whips, electric goads and sticks are used to force these animals to perform. They are beaten, drugged, frightened and tormented until they are a broken and pathetic reflection of their true selves. Some animals are required to perform unnatural balancing acts on moving balls, or even on the backs of other animals.