The new movie, "A Dogs Purpose", put a lot of feelings into the hearts of people around the world when the trailer was released. However, video footage has been leaked by TMZ showing a German Shepard actually being abused on set and it has gone viral on the internet. This movies intentions was to show a dogs purpose, however this is not a dogs purpose.
According to the video it shows a clearly frightened German Shepard being forced into what appeared to be dangerous waters. You can see the dog fighting back and resisting against the worker who was trying to get him in the water. Also, in the background of the video people saying, "just throw him in!" The end of the video shows the dog actually beginning to drown and then completely submerged under water. The scene was eventually shut down but activist groups and people all over are claiming this was animal abuse.
The producer Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures released a statement to CNN saying, "the team followed rigorous protocols to foster an ethical and safe environment for the animals." This statement did not stop the largest animal activist group, PETA to boycott the film from premiering in Los Angeles on its original release date.
This is not the only movie animal abuse was taken place in. Movies that date all the way back to the 1930's have been caught for abusing animals for cinematic entertainment. Jesse "James" (1939) involves a stunt where a horse falls off a cliff. This stunt shoved an unwilling horse out of a chute. The scene was shot twice and unfortunately ended with a dead horse. "Heavens Gate" (1980) would not even let the American Humane Association on set and was accused of killing multiple animals for the film.
These are just two examples out of many films that were accused of abusing animals. Unfortunately, majority of these film productions get away with it. The website peta.org allows insight/facts on animals in the filming industry. Specifically with, Birds & Animals Unlimited (BAU) which is operated by Hollywood animal trainer Gary Gero. PETA stated, "An eyewitness who worked at BAU documented chronic neglect, including sick and injured animals who went without adequate veterinary care, filthy enclosures, and animals who were denied food so that they would be hungry when being trained to do tricks.
The only way to create change is to be the change. That is why organizations like PETA and American Humane Association ask to provide information when any neglect is happening on movie sets or even in the general public. Animals deserve the love they give us. A dogs purpose is so much more than entertaining the public.
