Mary Allen
Introduction to the controversy
In 2017, the movie "A Dog’s Purpose" stirred up controversy when allegations of animal abuse during filming surfaced. The film, based on the best-selling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, tells the story of a dog’s journey through multiple lifetimes as he tries to find his purpose. The controversy arose when a video released by TMZ showed a German Shepherd being forced into turbulent water during a scene, causing outrage among animal lovers and sparking an investigation.
Overview of "A Dog’s Purpose"
"A Dog’s Purpose" was directed by Lasse Hallström and produced by Gavin Polone. The film starred Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, and Josh Gad as the voice of the dog. The movie was released in January 2017 and grossed over $205 million worldwide. It received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the heartwarming story while others criticized it for being overly sentimental.
Allegations of animal abuse
The controversy surrounding "A Dog’s Purpose" began when TMZ released footage that appeared to show a German Shepherd named Hercules being forced into turbulent water during a scene. The video showed the dog struggling to stay afloat before being rescued by a trainer. An investigation was launched by the American Humane Association, which had monitored the animal’s welfare on set. Animal rights activists criticized the film’s producers for putting the dog’s life in danger for the sake of entertainment.