"no animals were harmed in the making of this film"

[jrishaw]

.. what happens when animals were harmed, (accidentally?)

do they have to say that?

what is the purpose of the message? feel-good? PETA?

[Conti]

The purpose of this message is so that the ASPCA and other animal rights groups wont sue or jump all over the film company.

[andygirl]

IIRC, films/shows which use animals are required to have an animal protective agency on the lot.

[lissener]

They're not required; it's just seen as good PR.

[Airblairxxx]

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_370b.html

Of course, my question about films with this certification is, were the crew fed vegan diets only? Otherwise, I dunno . . .

[ignatzmouse]

How about lunch? I suspect a lot of chickens and cows have been (indirectly) harmed through the caterers for most of these films.

[Ura-Maru]

Or what if the best boy hits a chipmunk on the way to work!

Proably something like "All violence against animals was simulated." Or, far more likly, they leave it off.

I doubt it happens often, though. Trained animals are expensive as hell, even without the ASPCA they'd probably be careful.

Though the old westerns WERE awful tough on the horses . .

--
"No stuntmen were harmed in the making of this film."

[LazarusLong42]

I can't remember where I saw it (it was on TV, not in a movie) but:

"No animals were harmed in the making of this film. However, a gerbil was fondled at the wrap party."

LL

[Ike Witt]

The Ox (or whatever it was) that was slaughtered in Apocalypse Now was real.