PETA Calls For Investigation Into Horse Death On LI HBO Set

OLD BETHPAGE, NY — PETA is calling on HBO to launch an investigation after a horse died on the set of one of the network's shows it was filming on Long Island.

According to PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — multiple whistleblowers told the animal advocacy group that a 22-year-old horse died while filming "The Gilded Age" in Old Bethpage on June 28. The horse, according to the whistelblowers, suffered head trauma and was seen on set frothing at the mouth before its death.

“If it weren’t for these whistleblowers, the apparent death of this vulnerable horse would likely have been swept under the rug,” said PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo in a statement. “PETA is reminding HBO that watchful, compassionate people can be found on every set and is urging it to stop using horses before someone else dies in its productions.”

In a letter to HBO, PETA said it is calling on HBO to conduct an internal investigation into the reported death, and hold responsible the people who allowed it to occur. The organization is also asking HBO to put measures in place to make sure it doesn't happen again.

In a statement, HBO said the horse collapsed and died on the set 15 minutes into filming, after coming from a one-hour rest. HBO said that a veterinarian's preliminary findings suggested the death was of natural causes. The horse's body was taken to a veterinary facility for a necropsy on the recommendation of the American Humane Association, which worked with the show to make sure animals on set are well-cared for.

HBO said that horse wranglers and a veterinarian on set confirmed that the horse had not shown any signs of discomfort, nor had been overworked or overheated before it collapsed. The horse was in a scene involving a carriage and two passeners. The horse had prior experience working on film sets.

PETA pointed out this wasn't HBO's first instance of horses dying on set. In 2012, the network canceled the show "Luck," starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, after three horses died during filming.