The disturbing video of a German Shepard being forced into the water and later slipping under the water as a handler scrambles to save it on the set of A Dog’s Purpose went viral yesterday, causing Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment to cancel the film’s premiere and press junket in the coming weekend. 

A Dog’s Purpose is based on the best-selling book of the same name, about a dog’s discovery of its purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners. The film is set to screen in theatres in Singapore from 2 March 2017. 

The film's producer, Amblin Entertainment, and distributor, Universal Pictures, said Hercules (the dog’s name) was properly treated on set. In a joint statement released late on Wednesday, they say that "great care and concern" was shown for the German Shepherd and other dogs featured in the film.
 
 
One of the film’s stars, Josh Gad, who voices the main dog in the film, tweeted a response to the controversy and expressed how “shaken” and “sad” he was to see the distressing dog video. In addition, the director has also expressed distress and is ‘disturbed’ by the video.


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