USA: Kevin James and the cast of "Zookeeper" deny that animals were abused during the making of their film, despite protests from PETA

Record ID: 219753

  • Title: USA: Kevin James and the cast of "Zookeeper" deny that animals were abused during the making of their film, despite protests from PETA
  • Date: 7th July 2011
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION
  • Embargoed: 22nd July 2011 13:00
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  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA4DP39LM89W7A81QJ0PT5D9IMF
  • Story Text: It's not often that you see a film premiere being picketed, but PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) protesters were doing just that at the Los Angeles opening of "Zookeeper" on Wednesday (July 06).
    The group alleges that a giraffe that died after filming and the movie's star elephant were victims of animal cruelty - something that both Sony Pictures and the film's cast say is not true.
    The film's star Kevin James said that all the animals were well looked after.
    "They were great. The American Humane Society was there every day and it was fine; it was awesome to work with them."
    Actress Rosario Dawson said she would never be part of a film that mistreated animals.
    "They were treated gorgeously and honestly if I could be treated like that more often, that would be really, really nice. They were wonderful."
    Only cast-member Donnie Wahlberg said he saw some mistreatment - and it wasn't of the animals.
    "The guy in the gorilla suit was treated bad. That suit weighs 800 pounds. He couldn't even stand up. And they'd push him down. And I'd kick him."
    "Zookeeper" follows the Kevin James as an unlucky-in-love zoo staff member, who gets some helpful dating advice from the animals. It opens on July 08.
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