American Humane Calls for NBC and CBS to Stop Condoning the Killing of Animals for Ratings

American Humane Association
Thursday, 14 March 2002

Los Angeles, CA - (March 14, 2002) - The American Humane Association alleges that NBC and CBS have made a conscious corporate decision to condone the killing and abuse of animals for ratings by airing reality shows such as Fear Factor and Survivor. The American Humane Association's (AHA) Film and TV Unit regards the mistreatment of animals completely unacceptable.

Fear Factor's recent March 11 episode on NBC elicited a flood of negative public reaction. AHA has received statements from the audience that have expressed "extreme concern, disgust, and anger" and found the "blatant disregard for animal safety appalling." Many are enraged that the marketing of animal abuse sends the wrong message to a large audience of kids that the killing of animals is valid entertainment. This is not a content issue about simulated violence, this is about actual animal cruelty. AHA has long been a leader in research that demonstrates the link between animal cruelty and human violence and cannot condone cruelty to any life form.

"The mission of AHA's Film and TV Unit is to protect everything from ants to elephants because all life should be respected. By sending the message that it is okay to disregard the lives of even the smallest animals, NBC and CBS are disregarding public cries for compassion. If we permit the abuse and exploitation of animals in reality entertainment, we stand the danger of encouraging additional abuse in the real world,'' states Karen Goschen, vice president, AHA's Western Regional Office.

Veterinarians, herpetologists and professional animal trainers have contacted AHA to confirm that the snakes on the celebrity Fear Factor showed evidence of being traumatized and injured. "A snake has a backbone comprised of many, fine and delicate ribs which are easily broken. Their skin is fragile, as is their musculature. From what we viewed, many of these snakes suffered permanent injuries and unnecessary abuse for the sole purpose of entertainment."

Some of the most respected professional trainers in the film industry have told AHA that they have refused to work on the show because the producers demand stunts that violate AHA's humane Guidelines, including killing animals. Producers have stated that since AHA has no jurisdiction on their "reality" show and they have not technically broken any laws, they will not adhere to AHA's Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media. They refuse to work with AHA and will not reveal the animal suppliers.

AHA's Film and Television Unit has been protecting animal actors for over 60 years and its Guidelines are considered an industry standard. Although AHA does not traditionally oversee documentary films, most entertainment products for television, motion picture, commercials and video markets fall under its jurisdiction and are eligible for the well-known "no animal was harmed" disclaimer.

"As long as animals are used as part of filmed entertainment, all producers and actors should abide by AHA's Guidelines since they are accepted as the industry's standard under the Screen Actors Guild-Producers agreement and they provide for the humane treatment of animals as well as protection from abuse, cruelty, and exploitation" stated Goschen. "The American public has come to regard AHA as the authority on the humane treatment of animals in filmed media and turns to us for our expert opinion on how animals are treated in entertainment. There has been grave concern over blatant acts of cruelty toward animals in the making of several reality shows. AHA has received complaints regarding Fear Factor, Survivor, Murder in Small Town X, and Real TV."

Networks and producers claim such shows are filmed under the auspices of "reality" and are similar to documentaries. But, according to Goschen, acts of cruelty to animals staged for entertainment purposes do not qualify as documentary footage. AHA has received reports indicating reality TV producers are not necessarily documenting events, rather they are staging them. "AHA cannot condone the violent deaths of these animals without legitimate survival rationale. The sensationalist, staged events were for entertainment purposes and as such are unacceptable by AHA and U.S. industry standards," Goschen continued. For more information on AHA's Film and TV Unit, log on to www.ahafilm.org.

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the nation's only national non-profit dedicated to protecting children and animals from cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation. With headquarters in Colorado, AHA also works in Washington, DC, as a voice for children and animals before government, and in Los Angeles to protect animals used in film and television. For more information on the American Humane Association, log on to www.americanhumane.org.

AHA encourages the public to express their concerns against this unnecessary cruelty toward animals directly to the producers and networks that promote it. Public disapproval for this kind of programming is essential to force producers to seek cruelty-free creative venues or to raise the stakes in reality challenges to involve risk to only the humans who willingly participate.

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