Animal rights group PETA has hit back at The Power of the Dog after producers claimed that no animals were harmed during filming.
Daily Star had previously reported on a conversation with producer Tanya Seghatchian who batted away any rumours of animal abuse after winning a BAFTA.
At the time, she said: “There were no animals harmed in any way on our movie. Jane and I were particularly sure to make sure they were fully respected.
“We had supervision all of the way with the American Film Association so they shouldn’t be concerned.”
However, PETA’s Associate Director of Animals in Film & Television Lauren Thomasson saw the previous Daily Star article and shared that she had since reached out to Tanya with more concerns.
(Image: WireImage)
PETA exclusively shared the email with us, which read: “We saw your interview in the Daily Star, in which you responded to PETA’s concerns about The Power of the Dog and the public backlash that ensued over concerns regarding animal welfare.
“We’re perplexed about your claims that no animals were mistreated on the set. If everything was kosher, as you say it was, why when we wrote privately to Jane Campion to ask how specific scenes were filmed did we receive no response and no information about what precautions had been taken during the questionable scenes?
(Image: KIRSTY GRIFFIN/NETFLIX)
“Benedict Cumberbatch said in an interview, “Everything you see in the film, I learned. … I did everything you see in the film,” and he specifically mentioned learning to castrate bulls. In addition, an article in the Los Angeles Times mentioned the time he spent learning to castrate bulls on a Montana ranch. So why did your production not clarify how the troubling scenes were shot for the film, the way other productions have addressed questions from PETA and concerned audiences in the past? It doesn’t take a horse expert to see that the horse Cumberbatch “hits” was clearly in distress, which is why we’ve asked for clarifications from the get-go.
(Image: Guy Levy/REX/Shutterstock for BAFTA)
“You were also quoted as saying that you had “supervision all of the way with the American Film Association.” Did you mean to say American Humane? If so, its “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer is never a guarantee that animals weren’t exploited, hurt, or killed during a production. However, it’s our understanding that the film doesn’t even carry this disclaimer.
“We’re still hearing from people who are very concerned about several scenes in the movie, and it isn’t too late to spell out the specific steps that were taken to eliminate fear for the animals on set. We hope you’ll do that now.”
Tanya is yet to get back to the animal rights association.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
