American Humane Association
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The American Humane Association is an organization founded in 1877 dedicated to the welfare of animals and children.[1]
The AHA's Film and Television Unit has monitored the welfare of animals during the production of films and television programs since 1940. They are the source of the familiar disclaimer "No animals were harmed...", which is a registered trademark of the AHA. The Unit's creation was prompted by a scene in the 1939 film Jesse James in which a blindfolded horse was ridden off a cliff to its death.
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[edit] Film & Television Unit
The American Humane Association believes that all animals should be treated humanely throughout their lifespan, however the Film and Television Unit only oversees animal use during productions.
The American Humane Association (AHA) is the only animal welfare organization sanctioned by the Screen Actor's Guild to oversee a production's humane care of animals. Because of this, the AHA may choose to issue the end credit disclaimer "No Animals Were Harmed." AHA is able to report on the animal action during filming when public concerns arise or animal accidents happen on a particular set.
[edit] Comprehensive Role
[edit] Pre-Production
- Assistance to evaluate/mitigate risk factors.
- Collaboration to determine safe options and alternatives.
- Access to information on various species, humane issues, and animal experts.
- No oversight or supervision of animals to be used.
[edit] On The Set
- Humane treatment of animals.
- Reduced legal liability.
- Animal safety, which may contribute to greater cast and crew safety.
- Increased protection from controversies.
[edit] Post-Production
- Response to public inquiry throughout a production's distribution life.
- Assistance as liaison with media, regulatory agencies, and individuals requesting information about the animal action.
[edit] Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media
The AHA has a standard of animal care as outlined in the Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media[2]. On the set, AHA's Certified Animal Safety Representatives attempt to ensure the Guidelines are upheld. AHA's oversight includes film, television, commercials, music videos, and computer images. All production oversight is coordinated by the American Humane Association's Film & Television Unit in Los Angeles, California.
Productions that collaborate with American Humane and meet this standard of care qualify for AHA's "No Animals Were Harmed" end credit disclaimer. Despite animal deaths or injuries on the set, the determination of this can only be made after filming is complete, all documentation submitted, and a screening of the locked picture provided.
[edit] Basic Principles
- No animal will be killed or injured for the sake of a film production.
- American Humane will report on any animal treated inhumanely to elicit a performance.
- Although permitted for necessary veterinary care, general anesthesia and sedation are high-risk procedures and are prohibited for the sole purpose of filmmaking.
- Documentary-style footage/stock footage acceptable to American Humane's mission cannot include scenes that represent actual harm to an animal, even if filmed as non-fiction "newsreel" footage. Such harm, although possibly historic, is considered exploitation of the animal's suffering for the sake of entertainment. Any scene depicting harm must be simulated.
- American Humane Representatives may enforce applicable anti-cruelty laws where they are allowed to do so by law.
[edit] Controversy
A Los Angeles Times article about the AHA Film Unit in 2001 stated that “the group has been slow to criticize cases of animal mistreatment, yet quick to defend the big-budget studios it is supposed to police. It also raises questions about the association's effectiveness.” This article cites numerous cases of animals injured during filming which the AHA overlooked or may have even attempted to cover up.[3]
The AHA Film unit has also been criticized because it lacks any meaningful enforcement power under its contract with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Since major studios pay for its operations, a conflict of interest appears to be inherent in this system of oversight.
Animal welfare and animal rights groups, including PETA and the Performing Animal Welfare Society, have been vocal in their criticisms of the AHA Film Unit. They cite several areas where they believe that AHA standards could be improved, including: requiring animal trainers to be in compliance with federal animal protection laws, monitoring of pre-production and training of animals, and requiring a permanent care plan for great apes. They also believe that animal trainers who have been convicted of animal cruelty should not be allowed to work on movie sets.
Several films which have received a rating of “acceptable” or "believed acceptable” by the AHA, such as Flicka [4], involved documented cases of animals being killed during filming, but AHA ruled that the deaths were not intentional or were unavoidable.
The AHA has also received criticism for lobbying against a proposed California ban on the use of steel bullhooks for elephant control and handling despite video footage of elephants being beaten with these hooks during training.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ White, John H., Jr. (1993). The American Railroad Freight Car. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press, p 257. ISBN 0-8018-5236-6.
- ^ http://www.americanhumane.org/site/DocServer/LA_Guidelines_Web2.pdf?docID=1821
- ^ NewsMine.org - hollywood animals.txt
- ^ sagactor.org
- ^ PETA TV: Select Your Media Preferences: Carson and Barnes Circus Cruelty
