Last Wednesday, TMZ leaked a video that appears to show filmmakers forcing a scared German shepherd into water during production of upcoming film, ‘A Dog’s Purpose’.
Now star of the film Dennis Quaid is speaking out, saying he “would have walked” if this had been the case.
“I was there. I never saw any abuse of any animal. If there had been, I would have walked,” Quaid told ET.
The TMZ footage appears to show a trainer forcing a scared German shepherd, Hercules, into the water. But Quaid dismisses these claims:
“My experience is that the animals were treated great. There was no animal abuse,” he explained.
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“That video that someone took and sold for money and held on to for a year and a half until right before the film’s coming out, does not tell the whole story. First of all, it’s been edited and manipulated. And I think it’s a scam, to tell you the truth.”
“The dog was acting like a dog who was kind of tired of taking a bath and was ready to get out,” he continued. “And, in fact, that’s what happened. They took the dog out.”
PETA has called for a boycott of the film. Universal Pictures is investigating the footage and the premiere and press junkets have been cancelled in the meantime.
Quaid also added that he would not promote the film had he learned of any abuse.
The film’s producer wrote a lengthy statement dismissing the “misleading” video to The Hollywood Reporter.
