Second horse killed during 'Flicka' filming

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Not So Friendly " Flicka "

Friday April 29 5:56 PM ET

 

Source >

http://movies./mv/news/eo/20050429/111482256000.html

 

Flicka is running out of friends.

 

According to the American Humane Society, two horses

have died in just two weeks on the set of the upcoming

My Friend Flicka remake, starring Tim McGraw.

 

A rodeo horse died Monday while shooting a " wild horse

race scene " at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Los

Angeles' San Fernando Valley, prompting production to

briefly shut down. The equine actor broke free from

its handlers and tripped over a rope, breaking its

neck. And a quarter horse was put down on Apr. 11

after it tripped during filming and broke its back

leg.

 

 

American Humane Association spokeswoman Sara Spaulding

said her organization is conducting an investigation

of 20th Century Fox to see if the Flicka filmmakers

are following animal-friendly guidelines. The movie is

being produced the studio's Fox 2000 division.

 

The movie brain trust, meanwhile, has issued a

statement, saying " we are terribly saddened by the

events that occurred. The production has taken every

possible precaution and safety measure in shooting

scenes where horses are involved. "

 

The City of Los Angeles' Department of Animal Services

allowed filming to resume on Tuesday, and the AHA

investigation continues. But the production will no

longer be able to use wild mustangs previously

employed on the shoot, according a spokesman for the

department.

 

But many animal-rights activists say the AHA probe may

be compromised because the group is paid by the Screen

Actors Guild to monitor animal use in films.

 

" I am mortified. Poor horses. They've gotta stop

this, " Kathy Riordan, a member of the Los Angeles

Animal Services Commission told UPI. " I personally

think there is a major conflict of interest when the

entity responsible for monitoring an industry is

supported by it. Any way you look at it, [the AHA]

gets paid by Hollywood and there's something wrong

with that. "

 

My Friend Flicka is a remake of the 1943 Roddy

McDowall film. The new version, starring McGraw, Maria

Bello and Alison Lohman, is scheduled to hit theaters

in February.