Update: 19 January 2017 – Statement from Amblin and the producer of A Dog’s Purpose (below)
Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is among the production companies facing criticism from animal rights groups after a video surfaced showing a trainer handling a German Shepherd on the set of the upcoming family film A Dog’s Purpose. The footage, first published by media outlets, sparked intense public scrutiny and prompted calls for a boycott prior to the film’s scheduled release.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) publicly urged audiences to boycott A Dog’s Purpose, arguing that animals should never be treated as props for entertainment. In its statement, PETA said:
“PETA calls on dog lovers to boycott the film A Dog’s Purpose to send the message that dogs and other animals should be treated humanely, not used as movie props. Our investigation found animals were denied veterinary care, forced to sleep outdoors in the cold without bedding, held in filthy conditions, and otherwise mistreated.”
The animals used in the production were provided by Birds & Animals Unlimited, a training company that PETA had previously reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture over alleged violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Those complaints referenced treatment of animals on other high-profile productions.
A Dog’s Purpose was produced by Amblin Entertainment alongside Pariah Entertainment Group, Reliance Media and Walden Media, and features performances by Britt Robertson, Dennis Quaid and Josh Gad.
In response to the footage, Josh Gad—one of the film’s stars—issued a brief public message expressing concern and drawing attention to the controversy.
Birds & Animals Unlimited disputed the context of the released footage, saying the clip was misleading. However, reports indicated that at least some of the footage had been included in the finished film and appears in moments featured in trailers.
Amblin Entertainment released the following statement defending the production’s handling of animals and describing protocols taken during filming:
“The Amblin production team followed rigorous protocols to ensure 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 were shown for the German Shepherd, Hercules, and for all of the dogs featured in the production. There were several days of rehearsal for the water scenes to make sure Hercules was comfortable with 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.”
Gavin Polone, the film’s producer, also addressed the incident in an interview, saying he was horrified by what appeared on the footage and expressing frustration about oversight on set:
“I was horrified by this. The first thing I asked was, ‘Is the dog OK?’ He’s fine. If I had seen that, I would have stopped it immediately. People must be held responsible—someone’s job is to watch out for this kind of thing. Why wasn’t it stopped? This is an issue I’ve raised before, whether it involves circus animals or animals on set. Organizations like American Humane are supposed to supervise; they are paid to ensure animal safety. Why didn’t that happen? There needs to be a better system. I agree with PETA that oversight must ensure animals are treated properly both on set and where they are kept off set.”
The episode reignited broader debate about animal welfare in film production. Advocates argue for stronger, more transparent oversight and stricter enforcement of welfare standards throughout the lifecycle of animals used in entertainment—on set, during transportation, and in off-set housing.
Key concerns raised by animal rights organizations include denial of veterinary care, inadequate shelter or bedding, unsanitary holding conditions and insufficient supervision by certified animal safety representatives. Supporters of reform recommend independent monitoring, clear documentation of animal care practices, and harsher penalties for violations of animal welfare regulations.
At the same time, production companies and trainers involved in film and television work pointed to established protocols, rehearsals for complex action sequences, and the presence of trained handlers. They emphasize that responsible productions invest time and resources in animal training, rehearsals and veterinarian oversight to minimize risk and stress for animal performers.
The controversy around A Dog’s Purpose prompted calls from activists, filmmakers and members of the public for renewed attention to animal welfare policies in the entertainment industry and for a constructive review of the systems that are meant to protect animal actors.