Learn to hate bullfighting.

Recorded by The League Against Cruel Sports and Libera in "top class" bullrings in Spain and Peru during 2006.

This story is about the fair fight between matador and bull. The matador is the hero. He’s very brave. Actually 1 matador is killed for every 500 000 bulls that are killed.

One day prior to the fight food and water is taken away from the bull, and he is given salt. On the day of the fight sand bags are used to hit the bull's kidneys, to cause internal injuries. Often the horns are sawed off, aside from being very painful this also impairs the bull’s coordination. Petroleum jelly is rubbed into the eyes of the bull, to blur his vision. Drugs and laxatives are also common means to weaken him. The bull is kept in a dark space, so the sun will be blinding when he enters the arena.

Once in the arena the bull is approached by picadors (men on blindfolded horses) who drive lances into the bull’s back and neck muscles. The purpose is to impair the bull’s ability to lift his head, and to ensure a significant amount of blood loss.

Then the banderilleros enter on foot and proceed to plunge colourful harpoons into the bulls back. When the bull has become sufficiently weakened from blood loss, the banderilleros run him in circles until he becomes dizzy and stops chasing.

Now, the matador appears and tries to kill the bull with his sword. He is supposed to put the sword between the bull’s shoulders and through the heart, but usually the matador misses the heart and puts the sword through the lungs instead. The bull is then made to move again so that the sword will move inside him and cut up his lungs. This is usually when the bull drops to his knees, since he is drowning.

The execution is then made by a small dagger in the bull’s neck instead, it is supposed to cut the animal’s spinal cord. But often the bull remains conscious, though paralysed, for quite some time. If the crowd is happy with the matador, the bull’s ears and tail are cut off and presented as a trophy. The bull is then chained by his horns and dragged out of the arena, and at last he gets to die back stage.

The show usually lasts for about 15-20 minutes. This of course isn’t enough to satisfy our hunger for torture, so another five bulls will follow him to make our evening of amusement truly fulfilling.

Bulls aren’t the only victims in bullfights. Horses used in bullfights are blindfolded and have their ears stuffed, so they won’t be able to run away from the bull. The horses are often gored by the terrified bulls, their ribs are broken and they suffer great internal injuries.

Do something with your hate. La Tortura has a long list of organisations working to ban bullfighting. One of the main reasons bullfighting continues is because of bloodthirsty tourists. So tell bullfighting countries that you would’ve liked to go there and spend all your savings, but decided not to since they torture and kill for entertainment.

Learn to hate circuses with elephants.

PETA tv shows circus elephant training, and its consequences. Download the video here. When I found this film I got a warning that it contains strong language... mmm... that's its most disturbing content...

The average life span of a captive elephant is 14 years (captivity-induced foot problems and arthritis are the most common reasons for euthanasia in captive elephants), they usually live longer in circuses since they are used in shows regardless of physical problems. In their natural habitat elephants live for more than 70 years.

The majority of elephants used in circuses were captured in the wild when they were young. The method is to shoot off the mothers and collect all elephants who are under the age of 3. The breeding done at circuses is by insemination and begins when the females are about 6 years old. In nature elephants begin mating at age 16-18. The females remain chained when they give birth and the baby is chained separated from the mother, since baby elephants are cute and draw a crowd. Training begins soon after and the elephants are performing in shows before they are a year old.

Circus elephants are trained through the use of an ankus, which is a rod with a sharp, pointed hook at the end. Electric prods, blowtorches and whips are also commonly used. The ankus is embedded into elephants' most sensitive areas, such as around the feet, behind and inside the ears, under the chin, inside the mouth, on the trunk and other locations around the face. Since this is done on a daily basis to control circus elephants there is also a need for "spot work", concealing wounds and stop the bleeding with powder so that the injuries are not visible during shows, some circuses have special spot work employees.

Circus elephants are chained by their front and back legs so that they can't take steps. They eat, sleep, and defecate in the same trailers and tents their entire lives. In their natural habitat elephants walk about 40 kilometres a day.

Lives of constant confinement and frustration of natural instincts will force animals into a state of neurosis. Elephants in circuses constantly sway back and forth in their chains, these repetitive behaviours are symptoms of deep psychological distress.

Let your hate sink in. Watch a film about Shirley who gave birth, Ricardo who broke his hind legs, Benjamin who drowned, Docs and Angelicas leg wounds and Kenny who died after doing three shows bleeding from his rectum and without eating. Then go to Circuses.com and read some statements from former circus employees about elephant training.