Peta activists are stepping up their campaign against animal cruelty in Hollywood with a graphic advertisement depicting a dead horse, following fresh allegations of abuse on the set of Dustin Hoffman's axed show Luck.
The hard-hitting ad, put together by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), was printed in the Los Angeles Times and features the tagline Shot On Location under an image of a lifeless horse.
It states, "Animals don't choose to appear in film, TV, or advertising, yet thousands are forced to perform every year. Of all animal 'actors,' horses are the most frequently killed or injured on set... Not everybody wants to be famous."
Peta Vice President Kathy Guillermo says, "Peta's ad is a reminder to Hollywood that current guidelines simply don't safeguard animals in entertainment. It's up to producers and directors to protect horses - ideally, by leaving them off of the set in the first place."
The notice comes less than two weeks after Peta filed a complaint with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the California Veterinary Medical Board alleging that horses used on racing drama Luck were underfed to save money and some were tranquillised to keep them docile for filming.
The HBO series was cancelled in March (12) after a horse was humanely put down following an accident at the studio's stables.
It was the third equine death since filming began at California's Santa Anita racetrack.