Worker Caught Beating Circus Elephant

A British circus worker has been filmed repeatedly kicking and slamming a docile elephant with a pitchfork in her face and body as she was chained in her enclosure. The film of 57-year-old Asian elephant Annie was taken by Animal Defenders International and has triggered a joint investigation by local police and a British animal agency. Annie was beaten some 48 times in a single month while the film was being shot, according to Animal Defenders, which is seeking to relocate the animal to a sanctuary. Owners of the Bobby Roberts Super Circus said they were horrified by the actions of Annie's minder, who has since left his job, reports the Guardian. (More circus elephant stories.)