In 2006, PETA openly monitored Ringling's traveling units. The footage shows some of the cruelty that we documented, including the fact that elephants with stiff joints and chronic lameness were kept on the road and aggressive use of the bullhook. One scene depicts a Ringling trainer inflicting a bloody bullhook wound behind the left ear of an elephant. The elephant responds with a series of squeals. A bullhook resembles a fireplace poker and has a sharp steel hook and point.