HBO has cancelled "Luck," after a third horse had to be euthanized this week. Pressure from animal rights activists and the uncertainty involved when working with live animals took their toll, and HBO made the decision to cancel the show on Wednesday.
Working with live horses takes toll
HBO has cancelled "Luck," after a third horse had to be euthanized this week..
"Luck," is an American dramatic television series created by David Milch and starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte with Hoffman playing a rather seedy character just released from prison and looking to get into the world of horse racing by nook or crook.
In addressing the accusations of poor working conditions for horses, HBO issued a statement: "Recent assertions of lax attitudes or negligence could not be further from the truth." The network said it partnered with the American Humane Association, as well as with racing experts, "to implement safety protocols that go above and beyond typical film and TV industry standards and practices."
The American Humane Association said that Tuesday's death was an accident "that was in no way a result of any mistreatment or negligence on the part of HBO."
It said HBO had been "extremely collaborative and responsive" to the Association's animal guidelines during filming.
Two more episodes of the first season remain to air. It was not immediately clear on Wednesday if any of the second season episodes already filmed would be broadcast.