The death of a horse during filming in the United Kingdom of the series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has reopened the controversy over the use of animals during recordings. After informing Amazon Studios of the event, the organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) condemned what happened and has urged to stop using real animals during filming that may be victims of this type of problem.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a production horse died on March 21,” an Amazon Studios spokesperson announced. “The incident took place in the morning while the horse was being exercised before trials. Both a veterinarian and a representative of the American Humane Association were present at the time. The necropsy has confirmed that the horse died of heart failure.”
According to the company, more than 30 horses supplied by The Devil’s Horsemen, who have worked for television series and films such as Wonder Woman, Justice League, Game of Thrones and The Crown, were used that day. This is the first known horse death in the company’s 50-year history.
The horse’s death occurred while he was standing next to about 20 horses. According to the Daily Mail, the horses were being prepared for a battle scene for the second season of the series, which will premiere later this year or early 2024 on Amazon Prime Video. After the horse collapsed, everyone was asked to leave for 30 to 45 minutes while the body was removed. After filming resumed, some sources explained to the Deadline portal.
After learning what happened, the PETA organization quickly issued a statement condemning the incident, urging the entertainment industry to make changes so that productions no longer use real horses. “It seems that living underground with orcs is normal for the producers of The Rings of Might, because they have the option of using CGI, mechanical platforms and other humane methods that would not kill vulnerable horses on set,” wrote the senior vice president of PETA, Lisa Lange, in a statement to Variety.
“PETA is asking the creators of the show, and all other producers, to undertake a new search without using real horses. If they can’t help but exploit animals for their art, they should find a new medium, because no one wants to see a torment-themed TV sequel,” Lange continued.
The organization issued a similar statement in July 2022 after the death of a horse on the set of HBO’s The Gilded Age. Director Peter Jackson also received criticism in 2012 for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, for the deaths of three horses, as well as a group of other animals during its filming.
