Kwane Stewart, the veterinarian in charge of American Humane’s “No Animals Were Harmed” program based on filming guidelines developed by a scientific advisory committee, said in a statement that the organization is “the first to address fight cruelty and abuse” and that none occurred on the movie set.Īmerican Humane is the sole industry-sanctioned animal safety group on film and TV production sets. But the film is now under scrutiny after footage was.
The movie A Dogs Purpose is a heartwarming story of how dogs can change our lives for the better. A horrifying video has prompted PETA to call for a boycott of the film. “In the making of a film, no animal should be frightened at all. Leaked Footage of Alleged Animal Abuse on the Set of 'A Dogs Purpose' Has Surfaced. “The fact that the dog did not get injured or die is not at issue, but questions remain,” including why the dog was checked at the time, Lange said in a statement. Lisa Lange, senior vice president for the animal rights group PETA, called the report’s findings incomplete and said the video still shows “a frightened dog who did not wish to go into the water.” The group declined to address the person’s status, citing confidentiality for personnel issues. The on-set representative, who American Humane said was joined by three trainers, a safety coordinator and a water safety diver throughout the scene, was suspended after the video’s release. The dog was immediately taken to a warming tent, an examination found no signs of stress, and the dog later was returned to filming, it said. “That being said, it is important to note that this was recognized and the scene did not proceed as insinuated by the misleadingly edited video,” the group added. But producer Amblin Entertainment and distributor Universal Pictures stuck to plans to release the PG-rated film a week ago in more than 3,000 North American theaters.ĭespite the controversy, the feel-good film that had been pegged to open in the mid-$20-million range still managed to earn an estimated $18.4 million and place second at the box office, behind “Split.” Studio representatives said that was in line with their hopes.Īmblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures declined comment on the report Saturday.Īmerican Humane, which had an animal safety representative on the set, acknowledged that “the handling of the dog in the first scene in the video should have been gentler and signs of stress recognized earlier.” The video had an immediate impact on “A Dog’s Purpose,” starring Dennis Quaid and featuring Josh Gads’ voice, as a planned press day and starry premiere were canceled. Who may have leaked the video wasn’t addressed in the report, and American Humane doesn’t know who is responsible, he said. Since the controversy is recent, production companies are continuing to review the video and its use in the upcoming movie.That conclusion was based on viewing unedited footage from the set and on eyewitness accounts, group spokesman Mark Stubis said Saturday. On the day of the shoot, Hercules did not want to perform the stunt on tape, so the Amblin production team did not proceed with the shoot.” “Hercules was comfortable with the stunt. “Amblin is confident that great care and concern was shown for Hercules, as well as for all of the other dogs featured in the film,” Amblin Entertainment said to ENews. “In the spirit of this relationship, the Amblin production team followed rigorous protocols to foster an ethical and safe environment for the animals.” “‘A Dog’s Purpose’ is a celebration of the special connection between humans and their dogs,” the statement said.
In an attempt to save the movie, producers from Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures issued a statement. The target with the boycotting of the movie release is the animal supplier of the movie, Birds & Animals Unlimited (BAU). “This movie is directed towards those who love dogs and, clearly, this is not a dog’s purpose.” “They need to send the message that dogs and other animals should be treated humanely, not as movie props,” Lisa Lange, PETA’s senior vice president said to ENews. Once the video became viral, PETA asked all dog lovers to boycott the movie.
of 2015, but still manages to create controversy today. Hercules was clawing at the pool’s edge and tried to run away as the trainer attempted to force it into rushing water, while other trainers laughed off camera at the dog’s failure. The video showed a German Shepherd named Hercules being forced into turbulent waters. After recent events, People Ethical Treatment Animals (PETA) is boycotting the release of the upcoming film due to a video that was leaked Wednesday afternoon on TMZ. Based on the book “A Dog’s Purpose” by James Cameron, the movie “A Dog’s Purpose” will be released on Jan.