Have you ever had to try to hire someone for a highly undesirable job and had to “put some lipstick on the pig?” At least you’ve never had to tell anyone they’d have to swim with piranhas.
Help wanted: Ability to swim – fast – required. Must not be afraid of working in close proximity to animals with sharp teeth. Low pay.
That’s what the classified ad might have read for a job at a circus in southern Italy.
Police rescued two teenage Bulgarian sisters from the circus which forced one of them to swim with flesh-eating piranhas for the amusement of guests.
The other sister was forced into a container where the circus staff tossed snakes at her, according to wire service reports. She was injured by one of the snakes.
Police made arrested three people who ran the circus, accusing them of forcing the sisters to live in virtual slavery.
The women were paid only 100 euros (about $156) a week and lived in a trailer that had been used to transport animals.