Hagan reports that he has repeatedly observed Ringling elephant trainer Troy Metzler abusing elephants, including babies, with steel-tipped bullhooks—so much so that circus staff members have given Metzler the nickname “Captain Hook.” Bullhooks are barbaric tools used to punish and control elephants. Click here to learn more about these torturous devices.

Metzler’s training methods have been caught on video. In one clip, Metzler is tightening the elephant’s head gear. With his back to the camera, he peers over his shoulder to see if anyone is watching, then forcefully jabs the elephant twice with the bullhook under her sensitive chin. In a second clip, Metzler casually walks over to an elephant, stands next to her, and then suddenly, without warning, gives her a painful whack on the trunk with the bullhook. Click here to view “Captain Hook” in action.

And despite their young age, Hagan reports that two elephants, 8-year-old Kelly Ann and 7-year-old Angelica, are already suffering from captivity-induced foot infections, which frequently lead to premature death and are caused by long hours of standing on hard surfaces in their own feces and urine.