American Humane investigating treatment of dog in film
Posted January 18, 2017 7:41 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LOS ANGELES (NEWS1130) – 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.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said in a Twitter post that dog lovers should boycott the film “to send the message that dogs & other animals should be treated humanely, not as props.”