By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 14, 2012 at 7:44 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The horseracing series "Luck" was canceled by HBO
after a third thoroughbred died during production of the series
starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, the channel said Wednesday.
The drama about the seedier side of horseracing will air the final two
episodes of its first season now in progress, HBO said. But the series
won't return for the second season that began production last month,
it said.
"While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents
unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won't in
the future," the channel said. "Accordingly, we have reached this
difficult decision."
The move was made with David Milch, the show's creator, and Michael
Mann, his fellow executive producer on the drama that brought film
actor Hoffman to series TV. It was a high-profile project for the
premium channel that stakes its reputation on such fare.
HBO said it was "immensely proud" of the series and those involved in
it, and the producers said in a joint statement that they "loved this
series, loved the cast, crew and writers."
On Tuesday, a horse was injured and euthanized at Santa Anita Park
racetrack, and HBO agreed to suspend filming with the animals after
the humane group that oversees Hollywood productions had issued an
immediate demand "that all production involving horses shut down"
pending an investigation.
The animal was being led to a stable by a groom when it reared and
fell back, suffering a head injury, according to HBO. The horse was
euthanized at the track in suburban Arcadia.
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.
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.
The horse passed the inspection, the AHA said.
"The horse was on her way back to the stall when she reared, flipped
over backwards, and struck her head on the ground," Beck said in a
statement. An attending veterinarian determined that euthanasia was
appropriate, he said.
Dr. Rick Arthur, medical director of the state racing board, said such
injuries occur in stable areas every year and are more common than
thought. A necropsy will be conducted, he said, which is routine with
all fatalities at racing board enclosures.
The first two horse deaths drew criticism from People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals, which said that safety guidelines used in
filming failed to prevent the deaths "so clearly they were
inadequate."
Kathy Guillermo, a PETA vice president, said at the time the group
didn't consider the matter closed.
"Racing itself is dangerous enough. This is a fictional representation
of something and horses are still dying, and that to me is
outrageous," she said.
On Tuesday, Guillermo said PETA sent complaints about "Luck" to
Arcadia police and an animal humane society in nearby Pasadena.
"Three horses have now died and all the evidence we have gathered
points to sloppy oversight, the use of unfit, injured horses, and
disregard for the treatment of thoroughbreds," Guillermo said, calling
for an immediate halt to filming.
More:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/03/14/arts/AP-US-TV-Luck-Horse-Deaths.html?hp
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
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