{"id":86062,"date":"2017-01-20T03:45:55","date_gmt":"2017-01-20T08:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=86062"},"modified":"2017-01-20T04:06:21","modified_gmt":"2017-01-20T09:06:21","slug":"complaint-filed-over-treatment-of-german-shepherd-on-winnipeg-area-film-set-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2017\/01\/20\/complaint-filed-over-treatment-of-german-shepherd-on-winnipeg-area-film-set-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Complaint filed over treatment of German shepherd on Winnipeg area film set"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Complaint<\/a>
Complaint filed over treatment of German shepherd on Winnipeg area film set (Photo: VirtualWolf\/Flickr<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WINNIPEG\u2014A Toronto-based animal law organization has filed animal cruelty complaints over the treatment of a German shepherd on the set of the film “A Dog’s Purpose.”<\/p>\n

Animal Justice says footage apparently shot near Winnipeg in November 2015 shows the filmmakers forcing the dog into turbulent water.<\/p>\n

The footage, which first surfaced on the website TMZ, shows the distressed dog fighting to stay out of the water by repeatedly clawing at the edge of the pool.<\/p>\n

A subsequent shot shows the dog submerged under the water while a voice is hear yelling “Cut it!” and handlers moved in to pull the animal out.<\/p>\n

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has called for a boycott of the movie, which stars Dennis Quaid and is directed by Lasse Hallstrom, and is set to be released later this month.<\/p>\n

Animal Justice has filed complaints with officials in Manitoba. The Chief Veterinary Office of Manitoba said it has assigned an officer to investigate.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrowing a terrified German shepherd into rushing water is blatant animal cruelty,” Camille Labchuk, a lawyer and executive director of Animal Justice, said in a news release.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is illegal to inflict suffering and anxiety onto animals, and there is no loophole that lets Hollywood moviemakers get away with abusing animals on a film set.”<\/p>\n

The American Humane society has also launched an investigation and says it has suspended its safety representative who worked on the film.<\/p>\n

Javier Schwersensky, head of the Winnipeg Humane Society, said his group was consulted for two scenes in the movie, but not the one involving the alleged abuse.<\/p>\n

He said the video shows the dog was not properly trained.<\/p>\n

\u201cTraining for a scene like this should take place weeks\u2014if not months\u2014in advance to help a dog get comfortable with not only being in water of that depth, but also the turbulence. It also helps to ensure the dog will not suffer consequences from such a traumatic experience,” he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs well, there was no safe exit point for the dog to escape the turbulent water.”<\/p>\n

The film’s producer, Amblin Entertainment, and distributor, Universal Pictures, said in a joint statement that they are reviewing the footage, but they are confident that “great care and concern was shown” for the dog.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were several days of rehearsal of the water scenes to ensure Hercules was comfortable with all of the stunts,” the statement said.<\/p>\n

Hallstrom wrote on Twitter that he didn’t witness the incident but was \u201cvery disturbed\u201d by the video.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been promised that a thorough investigation into this situation is underway and that any wrongdoing will be reported and punished,\u201d he said in a tweet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were all committed to providing a loving, respectful and safe environment for all the animals in the film.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u201cdisturbing images.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am shaken and sad to see any animal put in a situation against its will,\u201d Gad wrote.<\/p>\n

A publicist for the actor confirmed the post was authentic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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