Latest news with #CinematographFilms(Animals)Act1937
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disney ‘evades animal-cruelty law' over rat-drowning scene
Disney has been accused of exploiting a loophole in animal cruelty rules by screening scenes of a rodent being forcibly immersed in a liquid. The RSPCA has criticised Disney over its decision to screen the scene in the film The Abyss where a real rat is deliberately submerged in fluorocarbon liquid. The scene has been cut from all previous screenings of the film after being banned by the British Board for Film Classification (BBFC) from cinema and TV over animal welfare concerns. The BBFC took advice from the RSPCA, the largest animal welfare charity in the UK, which said the 'forcible immersion of the rat caused terror' and amounted to animal cruelty. Because streaming platforms such as Disney+ are not covered to the same standards by BBFC or Ofcom rules as cinema, DVD or traditional TV channels, they are not technically breaching any codes. David Bowles, the RSPCA's head of public affairs, said: 'The RSPCA is really concerned that a loophole currently exists allowing animal abuse scenes deemed unacceptable elsewhere to be streamed freely and legally into our homes. 'The Abyss' controversial rat scene has long concerned the RSPCA, and has always been deemed unacceptable by BBFC – so it's hard to fathom out why Disney+ has decided to broadcast it. We need to ensure people are not being exposed to content which promotes or showcases cruelty to animals. 'As the way millions of households consume entertainment changes, it's vital the legal framework is responsive to that and continues to consistently protect people and animals.' While the rats used during filming are said to have survived the ordeal, the scene remains prohibited from UK cinema screenings, DVD and traditional TV. Given the infliction of terror, the scene was cut by the BBFC under the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, meaning it must be cut for any theatrical use. The BBFC – as the regulator of content released on physical media – has also cut the scene under the Video Recordings Act 1984, meaning it must not be included on releases on formats such as Blu-Ray and DVD. UK television channels must also adhere to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code – which states no material cut refused classification by the BBFC may be broadcast to viewers – meaning the scene should also not be aired on traditional TV. Streaming platforms, however, are not bound by the same standards as film releases in cinema, DVD or on traditional television – and the RSPCA fears this provides a 'loophole' to broadcasting animal abuse long considered unacceptable on other mediums. A new piece of legislation – the Media Act – enhances Ofcom's regulation of streaming services, and the regulator is due to publish a new video-on-demand code. The RSPCA said it hoped this would deliver a 'degree of consistency' with animal-abuse content standards across cinema, home entertainment and streaming services. Many streaming services already work with the BBFC on a voluntary basis and the RSPCA hopes Ofcom will highlight this work as good practice in the new code. Mr Bowles said: 'We hope a new code of conduct under the Media Act will help close this loophole – but we need to see a degree of consistency between streaming platforms and other forms of more traditional entertainment, so people can have confidence when watching films and other shows. 'It doesn't make sense that we have robust safeguards for animal-related content shown in cinemas, on DVDs or on traditional television channels – yet those protections could go out the window when you turn on a major streaming service. We can't backtrack now on what society deems is acceptable in terms of how we treat animals.' Disney+ has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MPs call to halt depictions of cropped-ear dogs
An MP has called on film, television and media outlets to stop depicting dogs with cropped ears, following a dramatic rise in the number of reported cases in recent years. Veterinary surgeon Dr Neil Hudson, who is also the Conservative MP for Epping, Essex, has written an open letter to those in the industry which has been signed by 21 of his Conservative colleagues in Westminster. Dr Hudson described ear cropping - made illegal in the UK in 2006 but still permitted in other countries - as "a horrific, cruel and clinically unnecessary practice". The RSPCA said reports of "cruel and unnecessary ear cropping on dogs" had increased by 2,000% in a decade. Dr Hudson, who also serves as shadow parliamentary under secretary for Defra, continued: "This painful procedure, performed solely for 'aesthetic' purposes, involves the removal or alteration of a dog's ears, often without proper veterinary care or pain relief." He said this, coupled with the lack of import regulations on equipment to crop a dog's ears, may be causing the influx of mutilated dogs. The RSPCA said ear cropping "doesn't benefit the dog in any way and can actually be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare". "We urge people to not buy into the trend - the only way to stop this is by not fuelling the demand for a cropped-eared dog," said David Bowles, the charity's head of public affairs. A bill that addresses the problem of low-welfare animal imports dogs, cats and ferrets into the United Kingdom is currently being progressed through parliament. Dr Hudson continued: "The inclusion of cropped ears in media can inadvertently normalise this cruelty, misleading audiences into viewing mutilation as acceptable." He said popular Hollywood films such as Disney Pixar's Up, from 2009, and Warner Bros' DC League of Super-Pets in 2022, both featured dogs with clipped ears. He pointed to a more recent example in the US, with the 2025 Best in Show winner at Westminster Kennel Club also having cropped ears. The letter referenced the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, which prohibits the use of animals subjected to cruelty during production. The Westminster Kennel Club, Warner Brothers, Disney Pixar, and DC Entertainment have all been approached for comment by the BBC. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More than 1,000 dogs reported with ear cropping Puppies mutilated to follow social media trend Man jailed after cruelly cropping puppies' ears RSPCA - Dog Cropping
