CIRCUS SHOCK
Horror moment ‘depressed’ circus bear savages trainer in front of screaming children after ‘life of agony’
THIS is the horror moment a circus bear savaged a trainer in front of screaming children after living a life of agony with joint pain.
The crazed beast was seen going wild in the Russian circus ring, attacking the man as children and parents fled the tent.
2
2
The resurfaced footage begins with the brown bear being forced to push a wheelbarrow while walking on its hind legs.
But the muzzled animal suddenly pounces on its trainer, knocking him down and leaping on top of him.
Kids sitting just feet away - with no protective barrier - scream as another circus employee repeatedly kicks the 16-year-old bear as it mauls his colleague.
When that failed to stop the animal, it was electrocuted with a device as the audience fled for the only exit in the travelling circus’s big top.
Read more world news
Circus officials initially said the bear had been startled by flashing lights in the audience.
But his trainer later said the attack was sparked by the depressed animal's joint pain.
The trainer floored by the bear was understood to be injured but no further details of his condition were given to local media.
Mum-of-one Galina Gurieva, 27, who filmed the distressing scene in the town of Olonets, north-east Russia, said: “My knees are still trembling.
Most read in News
“I was shocked there was no fence for the safety of spectators, given the size of the bear."
Another visitor said: "At first, everyone thought it was a script.
"But when the assistant started kicking the bear and pulled out the shocker, the panic started. People got up and ran to the exit."
A criminal investigation was opened into the incident and the bear's act was axed from the show.
Travelling circuses with live animal performances remain popular in Russia despite growing campaigns for bans or curbs on such events.
Topics