Covert video reveals circus elephant being abused

A POLICE investigation has been launched after secretly filmed video footage revealed shocking abuse of the UK's last circus elephant.

Northamptonshire Police said it was investigating jointly with the RSPCA after images emerged of Annie the Asian elephant being struck with a metal pitchfork.

Animal Defenders International (ADI) shot the covert video earlier this year amid concerns for the 57-year-old animal's wellbeing as part of the Bobby Roberts Super Circus.

The pressure group, which is calling for circus owner Bobby Roberts, 68, to release the elephant into its care, said the video was filmed between 21 January and 15 February in a barn in Polebrook, Northamptonshire.

Footage shows the arthritic animal being kicked in the face and body 48 times and shackled by heavy chains.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: "The RSPCA and Northamptonshire Police are conducting a joint investigation.

"At this point there is no further information we can give to the media."

The circus yesterday said the alleged incidents "appear to be isolated and at times when Bobby Roberts was away for short periods".

Mr Roberts' wife Moira, 72, said they reacted with "shock and horror" when they saw the footage. She added that the Romanian groom employed to care for Annie had left the circus in the early hours of Saturday morning.

She said: "We wish we had been given the opportunity to prosecute him and hand him over to the police."