The use of bull hooks in the circus is abusive. Behind the scenes, these are utilized to hurt the elephants, break their spirits, and force them into submission. The humans in the circus acts involving the elephants, hold these bull hooks during the show in order to intimidate and frighten the elephants into doing the act. If the City of Spokane Valley were to ban the use of the bull hooks, this would make it possible for circuses to come to town that do not use or exploit animals. The Shrine Circus that comes to the City of Spokane Valley annually, uses these bullhooks, and the evidence can be seen by googling “Shrine Circus Animal Abuse”. We want animal free circuses, and banning the bull hook can make this happen.