American Humane Association

The American Humane Association's logo

The American Humane Association (AHA) 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.

Film and Television Unit

The American Humane Association believes that all animals should be treated humanely throughout their lifespans. The Film and Television Unit specifically oversees animals used during media productions.

The American Humane Association is sanctioned by the Screen Actors 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." The AHA may be able to report on the animal action during filming when public concerns arise or animal accidents happen on a particular set.

Guidelines

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 and Television Unit in Los Angeles, California.

Productions that collaborate with the American Humane Society 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.

Controversy

In the late 1980s, the Association was accused by Bob Barker and the United Activists for Animal Rights of condoning animal cruelty on the set of Project X and in several other media projects.^[3] However, critics later argued that the accusations were based on rumors and hearsay, such as having seen a cattle prod and a gun on set and having inferred that these had been used to mistreat animals.^[4] The American Humane Association responded to the accusations with a libel lawsuit and noted that there had been a two-year "vendetta" against them.^[5] In a series of public ads along with the $10 million libel suit, the Association stated that the allegations were made based on insufficient and misleading information.^[4]

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." The article cites numerous cases of animals injured during filming which the AHA overlooked or may have even attempted to cover up.^[6]

The AHA Film unit has also been criticized because it lacks any meaningful enforcement power under its contract with the Screen Actors Guild. Since major studios pay for its operations, a conflict of interest appears to be inherent in this system of oversight.^{[citation needed]}

Animal welfare and animal rights groups, including PETA and the Performing Animal Welfare Society, have been vocal in their criticism 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.^{[citation needed]}

Much debate has centered around the film Flicka, so much so that the AHA has a dedicated page on its Frequently Asked Questions page concerning the film and the deaths of two horses involved in its making.^[7] Although their website states that, after a full investigation by the AHA, these deaths were unpreventable accidents and that the Los Angeles Animal Services Department conducted their own investigation which "concurred with American Humane Association's findings",^[7] the official report from the L.A. Animal Services Department finds that the death of the (second) horse "number 23, on the 'Flicka Wild Horse' race scene was a preventable accident".^[8]

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.^[9]

See also

• Animals on television

References

1. ^ White, John H., Jr. (1993). The American Railroad Freight Car. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 257. ISBN 0-8018-5236-6. 
2. ^ http://www.americanhumane.org/site/DocServer/LA_Guidelines_Web2.pdf?docID=1821
3. ^ "More than a Game (Bob Barker): Celebrities Helping Pets: How You Can Help Pets". Petfinder.com. http://www.petfinder.com/how-to-help-pets/game-bob-barker.html?printer_friendly=1. Retrieved 2010-01-09. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Speaking Up for 'Abused' Animals, Bob Barker Is Hit with a Lawsuit - People, 18 September 1989, Vol. 32, No. 12
5. ^ Game Show Host Sued For Libel - The Spokesman-Review, Thursday 31 August 1989, Page A7
6. ^ NewsMine.org - hollywood animals.txt
7. ^ ^{a b} "FAQ - Flicka". americanhumane.org. http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/who-we-are/faqs/flicka.html. Retrieved 20 April 2011. 
8. ^ LA Animal Services Flick Incident Report October 2006
9. ^ PETA TV: Select Your Media Preferences: Carson and Barnes Circus Cruelty

External links

• American Humane Association