American Humane investigating treatment of dog in film
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A spokesman for American Humane said Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 that it has suspended its safety representative who worked on the set of the film “A Dog’s Purpose” when a frightened German shepherd, not shown, was forced into churning waters.
LOS ANGELES >> The organization that ensures animal safety in film and television productions said Wednesday it is investigating whether a frightened dog was forced into churning water during the making of “A Dog’s Purpose.”
American Humane has also suspended its safety representative who worked on the film and is hiring an independent investigator to explore the matter, said Mark Stubis, a spokesman for the organization.
The incident came to light when celebrity site TMZ.com posted a minute-long video it says was shot during production of “A Dog’s Purpose.”
It shows a German shepherd apparently terrified to get into a pool and a trainer forcing the dog into the water.
Universal Pictures, which is releasing “A Dog’s Purpose” on Jan. 27, has not responded to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Actor Josh Gad, who lends his voice to a dog in the film, issued a statement on Twitter saying he has asked the studio and production team for an explanation of what he calls “disturbing images.”
He said that while the finished film is “one of the most beautiful love letters to animals I have ever seen,” he was troubled by the video.
“I am shaken and sad to see any animal put in a situation against its will,” Gad wrote. A publicist for the actor confirmed the post was authentic.
3 responses to “American Humane investigating treatment of dog in film”
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Boycott this movie.
its okay for parents to teach there little kids how to swim in a pool even though the kid is scared to go in the water the parents still put them in and they learn to swim which is okay, so it should be no problem for the dog to learn how to swim even if it is scared, I see no problem here.
Exactly, and, along with the fact there were probably 100 people on the set with cameras, speakers, people yelling was probably another reason the dog was reacting in the manner he was.
I am so tired of people ranting about PC this or that, and now we are going too far with animals. So, tell me, what lawyer is going to represent this dog, and who’s gonna interview the dog to get his side of the story.
For all we know, the dog may have been boycotting his acting skills out of spite.