Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
PETA Calls For An Investigation Into 'Jackass Forever'
Production crews filming in downtown L.A. (Photo by Chris Goldberg via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
In a letter sent to the offices of the Los Angeles City Attorney, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney, and Los Angeles County District Attorney, PETA is calling for an investigation “against those involved in filming scenes depicting cruelty to animals in the movie Jackass Forever." Scenes in the movie were filmed in both counties.
The animal rights group alleges that various scenes in the stunt-driven movie were harmful to a number of animals involved.
"Instead of cutting scenes that involved goading a bull into charging, provoking a sensitive snake to the point of attack, and forcing an easily frightened tarantula into an enclosed tube between the heads of two people who were yelling, Paramount Pictures added even more animal-exploiting 'stunts' into the film's final cut," PETA said in a statement.
The organization also points to two other scenes with a turtle and a large number of bees, both involving the actors' genitals. Many bees died after stinging Steve-O on his genitalia.
Support for LAist comes from
PETA first flagged their concerns to the City Attorney Mike Feuer's office in September when the trailer was released. The group says it became aware of even more instances of animal cruelty when the film came out in theaters last week.
“These deliberate acts of animal abuse normalize cruelty to animals, are likely to be copied, and must not be allowed to be used as examples of how the entertainment industry can thumb its nose at the law,” said PETA’s attorney, Caitlin Zittkowski in the letter.
Now, it's hoping the call for an "investigation and potential criminal charges" will tell Hollywood it is not ok to abuse animals for film and television purposes.
"Animals are not actors — they didn't consent to these horrific stunts, and they shouldn't be used for our entertainment," the animal rights group said.
KPCC/LAist has contacted the LA City Attorney and Paramount Pictures for comment and is still awaiting a response.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist