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'Grim Reaper' to protest Hobbit

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'Grim Reaper' to protest Hobbit

3News NZ

An animal activist wearing a grim reaper costume and holding a sign saying "The Hobbit: Unexpected Cruelty" is expected to make an appearance at the world premiere of the first film in The Hobbit trilogy in Wellington.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) says one of its members will be at the premiere on Wednesday to protest the alleged deaths of animals during the filming of the trilogy.

The US-based organisation alleged that five horses, a pony, and several goats, sheep and chickens were maimed or killed during production.

Peta announced last week it would hold protests at three premieres of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey around the world, including the world premiere in Wellington.

Sir Peter Jackson and the producers of The Hobbit hit back at the organisation's allegations, saying they had always instituted swift and immediate investigations into any concerns over the treatment of animals.

The American Humane Association, which monitors animal welfare during movie making, says no animals were harmed during the filming but noted it monitored sets only and not the facilities where they are trained.

NZN

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Comments

29/11/2012 8:11:25 a.m.

James wrote:

Garbage Mike, Firstly it was not a "small" number of incidents as you have stated. The movie-makers are responsible for the animals that are in their care - they did not take care of them. You don't get that many animals dying, as well as your wranglers quitting if you're taking care of the animals quickly. Then you go and ramble on about a dead toddler and try and state PETA's position on that, ridiculous.

27/11/2012 5:26:23 p.m.

Mike wrote:

Garbage.

The american humane society monitors the treatment of animals on the sets, not just when the cameras were rolling. Even Peta makes no claims about any cruelty on the set as their was none.

What we have is a small number of accidents involving animals after they had been transported off-set. Even then, it wasn't cruelty to animals, but, if anything, poor care by some looking after them. Bit like a kid reaching into a fire while not being watched and burning their hand. When poor care was discovered, they spent money to improve on it, considerable money. Peter Jackson even adopted a few animals himself after the movie finished using them.

In the last few weeks was the toddler run over in their own driveway - another accident. Peta is going beyond cruelty and claiming any accident is now deliberate and would claim 1st degree murder of the toddler. No doubt Peta would sue the paper manufacturer and printer manufacturer for getting a paper cut while filling the paper tray!

27/11/2012 10:19:39 a.m.

Aaron wrote:

"The American Humane Association, which monitors animal welfare during movie making, says no animals were harmed during the filming but noted it monitored sets only and not the facilities where they are trained." Therefore every single movie that this organisation has endorsed, is questionable with regard to what happened to animals involved when the camera stopped rolling.