Canadian Film Set Rocked by Allegations of Animal Abuse

For Immediate Release:
January 19, 2017

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

A year after Hollywood trainer Michael Hackenberger was charged with five counts of cruelty to animals for whipping and otherwise abusing a tiger, video footage from the Canadian set of the upcoming film A Dog’s Purpose reveals more abuse in the entertainment industry.

Below, please find a statement from PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange:

When Bowmanville Zoo co-owner Michael Hackenberger was charged with cruelty, Canada woke up to the mistreatment of animals trained for the movie industry. Now, just days after PETA released a video exposé of Hollywood animal supplier Birds & Animals Unlimited (BAU), which reportedly provided dogs used in the film A Dog’s Purpose, newly released footage shows a terrified dog who is forced into churning water on set in Winnipeg. At one point, the animal appears to be in danger of drowning and has to be rescued. PETA is calling on dog lovers to stay away from the film—because animals should be treated humanely, not exploited and abused as movie props. PETA’s investigation at BAU revealed that animals owned by the company were denied veterinary care, forced to sleep outdoors in the cold without bedding for warmth, made to live in filthy conditions, and more.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment.”