After suffering its third horse fatality, people responsible for the safety of the horses in the HBO racing drama "Luck" are calling for a halt to filming after a horse was injured and euthanized. Noting that the fatality did not occur during filming, the Humane Society is again calling for a halt to use of horses in the production and a thorough investigation into practices that have lead to three fatalities.
Another horse fatality
After suffering its third horse fatality, people responsible for the safety of the horses in the HBO racing drama "Luck"are calling for a halt to filming after a horse was injured and euthanized.
The horse was being led to a Santa Anita Park racetrack stable by a groom when it reared and fell back, suffering a head injury. The horse was euthanized at the track in suburban Arcadia, where "Luck" is filming its second season.
On Tuesday, Dr. Gary Beck, a California Horse Racing Board veterinarian, said he had just examined the horse as part of routine health and safety procedures before it was to race later in the day
During season-one filming in 2010 and 2011, two horses were hurt during racing scenes and euthanized. HBO defended its treatment of the animals, saying it's worked with the American Humane Association and racing industry experts to implement safety protocols that exceed film and TV industry standards.
The American Humane Association's film and TV unit, the group sanctioned and supported by the entertainment industry to protect animals used in filming, called for a production halt at the Santa Anita Racetrack in suburban Arcadia after the second horse's death.
Racing resumed after new protocols were put in place and proved effective, Karen Rosa, the AHA unit's senior vice president, said in February.
In the latest development, the American Humane Association (AHA) has issued an order shutting down the use of horses on the production pending a "thorough and comprehensive investigation."
Dustin Hoffman has the lead role in "Luck" playing a crime kingpin who's scheming to gain control of a racetrack and introduce casino gambling.