PETA isn’t the only one boycotting the upcoming movie “A Dog’s Purpose” over leaked footage that has lead to allegations of animal abuse.
Twitter is growling, barking, biting (and whatever other canine pun you can come up with) over the video, which was obtained by TMZ. In the footage, a trainer lowers what appears to be a frightened German Shepherd toward a pool of rough water.
Amblin Entertainment, the producers of “A Dog’s Purpose,” provided TheWrap with the following statement:
“A Dog’s Purpose,” produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures, 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.
While we continue to review the circumstances shown in the edited footage, Amblin is confident that great care and concern was shown for the German Shepherd Hercules, as well as for all of the other dogs featured throughout the production of the film. There were several days of rehearsal of the water scenes to ensure Hercules was comfortable with all of the stunts. 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.
Hercules is happy and healthy.”
Not everyone on social media is comforted by those six sentences, however. Here are some of the stronger reactions:
https://twitter.com/xrachaelray/status/821938877527195648
Me two hours ago: omg so excited to see A Dog's Purpose I'm gonna cry lol
Me now: pic.twitter.com/dk1LpkJH7d
— lexi 👻 (@lexi__claire) January 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/joseqhmorgan/status/821889000516550657
https://twitter.com/angelswillcry/status/822091248479666176
I will never EVER watch A Dog's Purpose
"Because of the allleged animal abuse?"
Um yeah sure— Richard Grandson (@No_Homers_Club) January 19, 2017
#ADogsPurpose is not to drown a dog for a good shot. There is CGI for a reason. #BoycottADogsPurpose
— Junior Double Bacon Whopper (@CristiBOfficial) January 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/themikereda/status/822089879093997572
https://twitter.com/careless_seoul/status/821841798943293440
https://twitter.com/alanis_jal/status/822088604902129664
That footage of the animal trainer forcing the dog into rushing water on the set of #ADogsPurpose just made me cry. What a piece of trash.
— DANiE[lle] (@msdanie) January 19, 2017