Hollywood: Stop Working Animals to Death

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