'A Dog's Purpose' writer says no animals were harmed
Los Angeles
Jan 21, 2017

No dogs were harmed during the shoot of 'A Dog's Purpose',
says W. Bruce Cameron, co-screenwriter of the film which was made controversial
by a leaked video from on set.
Cameron -- also the author of the book 'A Dog's Purpose' -- in a statement
issued on Friday, said that the commentary accompanying TMZ's leaked video of
a German Shepard, mischaracterises the incident, reports variety.com.
TMZ's story began with the audio -- 'One of the dogs in
the upcoming film 'A Dog's Purpose' desperately resisted shooting a risky scene,
but chilling footage shows filmmakers apparently forcing the animal into rushing
water.'
Cameron admits that mistakes were made on the set, but says
TMZ's version of the events isn't accurate.
He said: 'I found the video we've all seen to be shocking
because when I was on set, the ethic of everyone was the safety and comfort
of the dogs. If the people who shot and edited the video thought something was
wrong, why did they wait fifteen months to do anything about it, instead of
immediately going to the authorities?
'I have since viewed footage taken of the day in question,
when I wasn't there, and it paints an entirely different picture.'
Cameron said the dog, named Hercules, balked at doing the stunt
because of the location.
He said: 'The written commentary accompanying the edited
video mischaracterises what happened. The dog was not terrified and not thrown
in the water.'
Cameron also said: 'I celebrate animal rescue and am proud
of the values that show up in A Dog's Purpose'.'
Earlier on Friday, a petition was launched calling for a boycott
of the family film -- a day after its premiere was cancelled -- unless the creators
donate a 'significant' portion of the proceeds to animal welfare organisations.
'A Dog's Purpose' is directed by Lasse Hallstrom
and based on Cameron's 2010 novel about a canine who is reincarnated into several
dogs over the course of multiple lifetimes.
Los Angeles
Jan 21, 2017
No dogs were harmed during the shoot of 'A Dog's Purpose',
says W. Bruce Cameron, co-screenwriter of the film which was made controversial
by a leaked video from on set.
Cameron -- also the author of the book 'A Dog's Purpose' -- in a statement
issued on Friday, said that the commentary accompanying TMZ's leaked video of
a German Shepard, mischaracterises the incident, reports variety.com.
TMZ's story began with the audio -- 'One of the dogs in
the upcoming film 'A Dog's Purpose' desperately resisted shooting a risky scene,
but chilling footage shows filmmakers apparently forcing the animal into rushing
water.'
Cameron admits that mistakes were made on the set, but says
TMZ's version of the events isn't accurate.
He said: 'I found the video we've all seen to be shocking
because when I was on set, the ethic of everyone was the safety and comfort
of the dogs. If the people who shot and edited the video thought something was
wrong, why did they wait fifteen months to do anything about it, instead of
immediately going to the authorities?
'I have since viewed footage taken of the day in question,
when I wasn't there, and it paints an entirely different picture.'
Cameron said the dog, named Hercules, balked at doing the stunt
because of the location.
He said: 'The written commentary accompanying the edited
video mischaracterises what happened. The dog was not terrified and not thrown
in the water.'
Cameron also said: 'I celebrate animal rescue and am proud
of the values that show up in A Dog's Purpose'.'
Earlier on Friday, a petition was launched calling for a boycott
of the family film -- a day after its premiere was cancelled -- unless the creators
donate a 'significant' portion of the proceeds to animal welfare organisations.
'A Dog's Purpose' is directed by Lasse Hallstrom
and based on Cameron's 2010 novel about a canine who is reincarnated into several
dogs over the course of multiple lifetimes.
Tags: A Dog's Purpose