Target: Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of Motion Picture Association
Goal: Support severely limiting use of real animals in television, film, and streaming productions.
Horses have a long history in cinema, dating back to the Westerns of old. A recent fatal incident, however, has drawn renewed scrutiny about the use and possible exploitation of animals in the movie and television worlds. Producers of the Amazon Prime series Rings of Power reported that a horse to be used in production died of cardiac arrest while being exercised. The fallen horse was one of 30 equines on-set that day.
This tragedy is far from the only troubling incident. A few years prior, on the set of a separate production in the Lord of the Rings universe—the first installment of The Hobbit film series—three horses reportedly died during the course of filming. An additional three horses passed away in the course of production for a former HBO series entitled Luck. And last year, another series on the premium network apparently had a horse die on-set as well.
Critics such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have long called for a dramatic decrease in the usage of live animals in film and television due to welfare concerns. They contend that alternate methods such as CGI effects could stand in place of the animals. And in cases where horses or other animals are ultimately utilized, advocates are fighting for the mandated inclusion of animal behaviorists on-set.
Sign the petition below to join these calls for life-saving reform.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Rivkin,
Live animals are almost never used in stage plays not only for logistical reasons, but also out of concern for these living beings’ welfare. Despite the creative amendments producers must make, they are still able to put on memorable productions that captivate audiences. The television and film industries—with their infinitely vaster resources—can and should take a cue.
A horse reportedly suffered lethal cardiac arrest on the set of the Rings of Power Amazon original. This animal apparently died during training, which does not even account for the horses that have passed away during filming over recent years on at least three separate productions. When will enough be enough? Hollywood now has the technology to create realistic animals from CGI magic and much more, all at no harm to actual living and breathing beings.
Please finally honor the continued pleas of advocates to enact a new and more humane path forward—from the widespread use of on-set animal behaviorists to the phasing-out of live animals—that does not endorse cruelty and inhumanity through entertainment.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pixabay
AND STOP KILLING ANIMALS IN FILMS. I know it is fake but disturbing. Only person who does not do this is James Cameron.
I won’t watch a film if the main star is an animal. Their safety is never a priority. I hope I’m part of a growing group and the producers/financiers lose money.
I will not watch a movie if there is FAKE killing of animals. People who review films will warn you if any.
Greed! Making money off the back of animals!! Hollywood sucks!
STOP using animals on films for greed! This is called used and abuse! You can’y use a living being for your end purpose and mistreat them to the point of suffering or DEATH!!! Where is the humanity!??????????
This is called animal cruelty. If the animals could talk they would probably say NO….because what to they get from it? ABUSE!
It is unimaginable that an innocent animal should die for the sake of a STUPID film.
Get laws in place and hold everyone accountable every time!
SO WELL PUT NEW YORK CITY ALSO NEEDS TO GET OFF THIER ASSES AND STOP THE HORSE ABUSE!!!
Mayor Adams will hear from me if that shit does not stop. I met him few times at animal charity event and seems genuinely caring about animals. But i could be wrong.
Hollyweird won’t stop hurting animals because it’s all about money not having morals or compassion.
I agree. We live in a satanic world, based on cruelty, money, greed. “For the love of money is the root of evil.”
Use human babies
Are you putting a horse above a baby? If this what you mean, then you are crazy. I love animals, and babies to, but babies have a soul. Animals don’t.
Of course animals have souls you fool. Just the same as humans!
How the hell do you think they live then. Maybe you think that they run on rechargeable batteries or something similar!
These submissions are for genuine people who actually care about animals especially those tortured and abused by human tossers who need terminating.
If you cannot submit anything more sensible then keep off this site.
And when people see it on film they think its okay to do the same with them- like chevy Chase the dog behind the car how many time have we seen that now from people to many and the donkey and horse fall I always only think of the animals as soon as they are in the picture and suddenly the movie is not that funny or good when they drag animals in to it – I think people they should begin to look at them self and say how would I like to be treated like any of them , is this what they go for in the end of their life to mistreat animals to leave a world of pain for movies, I thought they had stopped that, I really hate when I see fish in small bowls also, I get sick to watch it and get all claustrophobic for the poor fish so to watch how animals are treated and forced to be in a certain way , when they are not, and then people forget about them now they are finished with their show of, how your eyes are forced to look at that And already know how it must be and are in and think this is life for the animals so STUPID and how they make fun of of them or hurt . You should show more love for the animals. You get tired of watching this behavior I am over 60 so when will we see something new, without mistreating of the animals it would be a breath of fresh air for once , not who cares never give them a second thought when you are finished with the movie some are lucky but sadly not all- think how scared they must be ,they are just like children , they don’t know any better why ? but humans do this to them you would think they are more intelligent – but no, human are even worse they say we are the top of the foodcain- sure you are little cry babies.
Same here. Over 60 and i see things getting worse.
I denan that you stop killing these helpless horses!! This is pure evil and it’s murder!!it’s a demonized movie anyway!! You are demons this is an outrage I demand justice for these horses you’ve killed!!! Peggy Lynn Smith from Corbin Kentucky
I demand you stop killing these horses immediately! I’m outraged with this! Animals don’t belong in movies leave them out of your movie making stuff!
They act like animals a disposable! They are NOT!
Please stop using peta for anything. Why would you trust a group that is known animal killers and extremists?
What in the hell is wrong with actors, producers and directors anymore? Are they all just too stupid to live? This is a no-brainer so they should be able to figure out that you don’t hurt animals or even fake hurting animals as it seems the majority of this country thinks the fake stuff is real and okay to do in real life. Is there no one in the film industry that has common sense or even know what is right and wrong?
Of course they know right from wrong. But they could not give a ‘flying fuck’ about the animals used wether they die or not as long as the money is rolling in!
Collateral damage I believe it is called!
Well could we not have collateral damage for some of these stupidly overpaid actors??
Animal exploitation yet again.
But even if some of them ‘did’ get shafted, it would not really matter as they could still be seen on film!
Seems harsh you think. Well the bible says and eye for an eye!
And this means ANIMALS as well as so-called humans.
Man evolved from animals which makes animals the superior beings.
And if they had been given more brain power they would be running a sentient world I think as opposed to greedy, grasping, ‘how much bloody money can we amass’ humans.
The good book says man will destroy the world.
And by the looks of things right now, these arrogant beings are going the right way about it.
Let’s face it, right from the year ‘dot’, what did humans do most of the time to try and gain power?
Have battles and kill the shit out of each other! Still happening right now.
Prats, all of them!
Isn’t there people on the set who are suppose to be watching out for the care of all animals during filming? Such as the Humane Society or ASPCA. People are disgusting to work an animal to death for their greedy need of money. That innocent horse’s life didn’t have to end
WE MUST PUT AN END TO THIS KIND OF ANIMAL ABUSE — NOW!!!!!!!!!
YOU ARE ALL A GREEDY, SELF-CENTRED, SELFISH DISGRACE AND DONT GIVE A DAMN AS LONG AS YOU MAKE YOUR CUT OF THE MONEY!!
SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS.
JUST PLAIN LOW-LIFE MURDERERS BUT KNOW THIS…YOUR KARMA WILL ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOR CERTAIN AS YOU BREATHE, FIND YOU.
ALL ANIMALS ARE SENTIENT BEINGS BUT TO ME YOU GREEDY MORONS DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.
YOU FOOLISH IDIOTS, YOU WILL MOST DEFINITELY FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO HARM ANY ANIMAL IN ANY WAY.
YOU ARE TRULY A DISGUSTING DISGRACE ON THIS EARTH PLANE.
Well said Sister Nicole, we are on the same page here.
These bloody supposed ‘actors’ do not care. It’s just a animal. If it’s dead no problem.We can easily get others to carry on with the filming to keep making pots more fucking money!
Callous greedy bastards all of them. Do they care; of course the buggers don’t otherwise they would not do it.
The only way to stop this shit is for people to boycott cinemas but that is just about an impossibility.
If anyone does have any suggestions no matter how outrageous then let’s hear them. It would be really good to know!
Jonny W.
shame on you all – you are all animal abusers
Animals shall not be used in human entertainment because it’s against their innate needs and abilities. Animals are sentient beings in their own right and shall not be taught stupid tricks they are not created for!!!!!!
CG has come so far and is so advanced. Stop using live animals!! They are NOT expendable.
Are you putting a horse above a baby? If this what you mean, then you are crazy. I love animals, and babies to, but babies have a soul. Animals don’t.
I course animals have souls you fool. Just the same as humans!
How the hell do you think they live then. Maybe you think that they run on rechargeable batteries or something similar!
This is for genuine people who actually care about animals especially those tortured and abused by human tossers who need terminating.
If you cannot submit anything more sensible then keep off this site.
YOU WOULD THINK THAT ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WOULD OPPOSE THIS KIND OF THING, EVIDENTLY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS ARE NOT ENOUGHT FOR THEM EITHER. Any thing for a buck.
Yeh, greedy bastards all of them.