Movie Animals

* Re “Questions Raised About Group That Watches Out for Animals in Movies,” Feb. 9: Ralph Frammolino and James Bates’ article stated that the director of the American Humane Assn.’s Film and TV Unit, Gini Barrett, “estimated that only 10 to 15 animals suffered injuries or deaths in thousands of productions over the last four years.”

If 10 to 15 human actors suffered injuries or deaths during four years of production, I doubt anyone would praise the Screen Actors Guild for providing “a service to this industry that is extremely important,” as J. Nicholas Counter, head of the Alliance for Motion Picture and Television Producers, said about the American Humane Assn.

The treatment of animals used in productions needs to be monitored by a truly independent organization that is not beholden to anybody else in the motion picture industry. Such an organization should have the resources to expose all mistreatment of performing animals and bring legal action against trainers, production companies and studios that engage in such mistreatment.

JOSEPH SCHWARTZ

Burbank

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Your article reeks of sensationalism. Your primary argument, that the AHA tends to work with the studios, rather than against them, is completely true. Unless the government decides to intervene, the only animal-monitoring on sets is going to be invited by the productions themselves. Working with studios and filmmakers, the AHA has saved countless lives and prevented untold injuries over the last six decades.

I have worked with the AHA in the past, including having my own productions monitored, and have found them dedicated and passionate in their mission. Smearing Barrett a month before her retirement sounds like the act of some disgruntled ex-employees.

DOUGLAS GREEN

Los Angeles

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A standing ovation for Frammolino and Bates from all of us who have worked for years to expose cruelty to animals in the production of movies. The value of the AHA to the movie industry is not to protect animals but to create the illusion for moviegoers that animals are protected in pictures.

BOB BARKER

Hollywood