American Humane Association Downgrades Rating On The Animal

American Humane Association
Tuesday, 3 July 2001

The American Humane Association's (AHA) Film and Television Unit today said it has called for the removal of its "No animal was harmed" disclaimer statement from the end credits of the Sony Pictures/Revolution Studios film The Animal. Although AHA is satisfied that no harm came to any of the animals, Timothy O'Brien, President of AHA, said the organization is taking this action because producers of the film included one scene filmed without AHA oversight and after it had already screened the film and issued its disclaimer. "This is about maintaining the integrity of the process," stated O'Brien.

"We only issue the 'No animal was harmed' disclaimer for a film or television production when animal action has been monitored during filming and we've reviewed the final cut of the film," explained Karen Goschen, Vice-President, AHA's Western Regional Office. "Unfortunately, after we were provided a screening, the producers of the film, Revolution Studios, re-shot a scene utilizing an orangutan and failed to notify AHA. This footage was re-edited into the film without our knowledge. Since the movie includes footage filmed after AHA issued its disclaimer, the credit on 'The Animal' is no longer authorized. We have requested Revolution Studios and Sony to remove the AHA disclaimer."

After reviewing film outtakes and the information provided, Goschen said AHA is satisfied that the orangutan, Louie, was treated with the utmost care and that the AHA Guidelines were followed. On many occasions AHA has observed both training sessions and filming with Louie and his trainers and can assure the public of his welfare. "During filming, an actor in an orangutan costume, a stuffed fake orangutan, a prosthetic breastplate and Louie were used to achieve the action called for in the scene. Although AHA will not authorize the disclaimer, we are rating the film Believed Acceptable," concluded Karen Rosa, Communications Manager for the Film and TV Unit.

AHA awards the disclaimer based on a high standard of care given animals during production and its official oversight of the animal action during filming. These standards, accepted by the U.S. film industry, are outlined in AHA's Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media. After a film has been screened and all documentation has been examined, a rating and review appear on the website, www.AHAFilm.org, that explains to the public how the animal action was accomplished. AHA wrote the review of The Animal based on what they understood to be the official locked picture and the complete animal action. The review has since been amended.

After the film was released, it came to the attention of AHA that a scene had been added that appears to put an animal at risk. The scene in question shows actor Rob Schneider wrestling with an orangutan. Goschen stressed that AHA would never issue a "No animal was harmed" disclaimer for this type of scene when it was not present to witness the action. The criteria for the disclaimer holds all production companies accountable to a common standard and this process cannot take exception.

The distributor, Sony Pictures, was immediately notified and discovered that the producing company, Revolution Studios, inadvertently neglected to notify AHA when the re-shoots were scheduled. Both companies have been very cooperative and have provided AHA with outtakes and documentation. Although all of the footage and information attesting to the welfare and treatment of the animals throughout the day of re-shoots has been submitted, it cannot act as a substitution for the on set observations and documentation by AHA Field Representatives who act as safety officials for the animals during filming.

AHA officials met with Revolution Studios and a representative from Sony Pictures to discuss removal of the AHA end credit and how best to collaborate on efforts to protect animals in film. Goschen said of the meeting: "We believe this incident is an anomaly based on the cooperation and concern for animal actors that Revolution Studios and Sony Pictures have demonstrated in the past. We appreciate the efforts both companies have made in trying to rectify the situation and the additional procedures that have been implemented to prevent such an incident form occurring in the future."

AHA's reviews and ratings provide information on how the animal actors were treated during the physical production of the film. American Humane in no way condones nor endorses the content of any film. AHA has been protecting animal actors for over 60 years and oversees animals in over 900 productions per year. All production personnel, as well as the public, are urged to notify AHA if they witness any mistreatment and/or abuse of an animal on the set by calling the 24-hour, CONFIDENTIAL ANIMAL ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-677-3420. For more information on AHA's Film and Television Unit, log on to www.ahafilm.org.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org