Along with "any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental", "no animals were harmed" might be one of the most recognisable statements to appear during film credits. An in-depth new investigation from The Hollywood Reporter suggests that many animals are still suffering on film sets - but in some cases the films still receive the American Humane Association (AHA) seal of approval.
A couple of examples of animal deaths and injuries had been widely reported, including multiple incidents during filming of The Hobbit and TV series Luck, although some handlers debate whether these alleged incidents were a direct result of filming activities. However, the report suggests that there are many more examples that go unreported or, in some extreme cases, are actively suppressed. Examples of significant 'animal harm' include:
- A tiger almost drowning during filming of Life of Pi
- A dog being punched by a handler repeatedly during production of Eight Below
- Fish and squid killed by controlled explosions while making Pirates of The Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
- Fish killed after being placed in incorrect water by a crew member on Son of the Mask
- Sick animals dying while filming Our Idiot Brother and Marmaduke
The Life of Pi incident is one said to have been actively downplayed by the AHA monitor on set.
The Hollywood Reporter also cites anonymous AHA sources, and says that the group's ideologies are becoming blurred by management and conflicts of interest, with some AHA officials allegedly looking to protect their organisation's relationship with Hollywood studios.
The report describes "a management intent on searching whenever possible for reasons to disregard trouble, often by declaring that an incident falls outside of its jurisdiction, particularly with those that occur physically off set, in transit or at holding facilities following days, weeks or months of an animal’s work, which can cause cumulative physical and emotional stress and fragility".
One anonymous AHA employee concludes, "We've been hopeful for change... [But] it's getting worse".
You can read the full feature here.
