A controversial video has emerged showing questionable practices being done to a German Shepherd while filming the movie A Dog’s Purpose. The leaked footage shows the German Shepherd named Hercules being forcibly thrust into a pool of churning water despite clearly not wanting to go in.
There has been some outrage regarding the video including PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) calling for a boycott of the movie.
Footage from @TMZ shows terrified dog seemingly forced into rushing water on #ADogsPurpose set. RT to show everyone why they should boycott! pic.twitter.com/is2ug0t3Aq
— PETA (@peta) January 18, 2017
Representatives from Amblin Entertainment contacted TMZ, who originally broke the story, and said that the German Shepherd had “several days of rehearsal of the water scenes to ensure [he] was comfortable with all of the stunts.” The production company added, “On the day of the shoot, Hercules did not want to perform the stunt portrayed on the tape so the Amblin production team did not proceed with filming that shot.”
From TMZ:
TMZ broke the story … behind the scenes footage showed a handler trying to force the dog into the pool. Hercules ended up going under once filming resumed, but divers and handlers quickly rescued him. Amblin says, “Hercules is happy and healthy.”
The company adds, the movie “is a celebration of the special connection between humans and their dogs. And in the spirit of this relationship, the Amblin production team followed rigorous protocols to foster an ethical and safe environment for the animals.”
The American Humane Association member who was on set during the shooting of that scene was reportedly suspended.
[TMZ]