Blood and Games
In contrast to the glitter associated with circuses, performing animals' lives are pretty miserable. Because animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, or jump through rings of fire, whips, electric prods, and other tools are often used to force them to perform.
More than 40,000 bulls are barbarically slaughtered in rings in Spain each year. 20 percent of bulls are fed laxatives and drugged before they step into the ring. 20 percent of 200 bulls had been given anti-inflammatory drugs, which "can camouflage certain injuries," before the fight even started. The bull's horns are shaved and petroleum jelly may be smeared into his eyes to cloud his vision. Before the matador even enters the ring, a picador stabs and cuts the muscles in his neck. Bullfighting is a cruel bloodsport in which the bulls don’t stand a chance.
"To derive pleasure in being cruel is a very debasing matter. It shows a person to be unmindful of the sanctity of life and the meaning of life. There is something very foul and evil in the lives of men and women who delight in destroying helpless life, especially in what is known as 'blood sports.'" - Revd. F. C. Baker