http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/hbo-sued-luck-horse-deaths_n_2399108.html
HBO's short-lived horse racing drama "Luck" garnered plenty of controversy in its first and only season, and apparently that controversy is set to continue even after cancellation.
The show, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, drew the ire of viewers and animal rights activists after three horses had to be euthanized during 10 months of production. Now, a new lawsuit is alleging that the American Humane Association, HBO and producer Stewart Productions attempted to "conceal and cover-up" animal safety violations while filming.According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barbara Casey (who spent 13 years as the Director of Production for the AHA's film and TV unit) has filed a suit against the AHA, HBO and Stewart, claiming she was wrongfully terminated after she threatened to report the animal mistreatment to the authorities. She is also reportedly alleging that HBO and Stewart Productions pressured the AHA into letting them violate the organization's safety guidelines.The complaint, as obtained by THR, contends that "to minimize any disruption to its production schedule, the Production Defendants, rather than fully cooperate with AHA, continued to engage in and/or direct criminal animal abuse and cruelty. The Production Defendants pressured AHA to allow the use of unsuitable horses in an attempt to ensure that sufficient numbers of horses would be available to meet its production demands."
guess they thought no one would notice or care, will this tarnish HBO to some but they will continue to draw more awards then other networks this will become a footnote, if they continue than yes they will get a bloody nose. we are a fickled nation and with good programming our outrage over 3 horses will die at the feet of the next blockbuster.
According to Casey's lawsuit, the abuses purportedly witnessed by the AHA included horses being "drugged to perform," "underweight and sick horses unsuited for work [being] routinely used," and that HBO and Stewart Productions "misidentified horses so that the humane officers and/or animal safety representatives could not track their medical histories, experience and/or suitability for use."In a statement to THR, HBO responded to the allegations: "We took every precaution to ensure that our horses were treated humanely and with the utmost care, exceeding every safeguard of all protocols and guidelines required of the production. Barbara Casey was not an employee of HBO, and any questions regarding her employment should be directed to the AHA."
today's big corporations have shown us a sense of above the law and generally take these things lightly and to disavow the accusations with out corroboration Ms. Casey has nothing but her word. and since corps. are now people they can lie and shout and outlast the little person.
