The Studio’s Response to the “Dog’s Purpose” Controversy

“A Dog’s Purpose,” based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron, looks like a love letter to dogs and the people who are lucky enough to be loved by them. But the movie, which will be in theaters this week, is suddenly controversial due to leaked footage which appears to show one of the dogs in the film being abused to get him to perform.

Here is the response from the film’s producers.

Statement from A Dog’s Purpose Producer Amblin Entertainment and distributor Universal Pictures

Los Angeles, CA (January 18, 2017) – 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.

I will continue to follow this issue and publish updates when I receive them.