PETA Demands an Investigation at HBO After Horse Dies on Set of The Gilded Age

PETA wants answers after a horse died on the set of The Gilded Age. The org, which is an acronym for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, issued an open letter to HBO Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys about the animals on-set death calling for an internal investigation. PETA alleges that the news of the horse’s death may not have been made public if not for the “whistleblowers” involved.

“If it weren’t for these whistleblowers, the apparent death of this vulnerable horse would likely have been swept under the rug,” PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said. “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.”

According to PETA, there were three whistleblower reports about a horse dying on the set of The Gilded Age. The horse is said to have been 23 years old with “possible health issues” and died last week after sustaining head trauma and was seen frothing at the mouth. PETA points to HBO’s history of horse deaths on different productions, namely how the planned TV series Luck was canceled after it was revealed that three horses had died during the production. With this new incident involving The Gilded Age, PETA is calling on HBO to conduct an internal investigation immediately while refraining from ever using equines in any future television show productions.

Related: The Gilded Age Will Return for Season 2 Without One Major Character

HBO Has Responded to PETA’s Letter

Per E!, HBO has since responded to the call for an investigation put forth by PETA. In a statement, HBO argued that the horse’s death was unavoidable and that the animal had actually died most likely due to natural causes. This is based on the preliminary findings of a veterinarian. With that said, an internal investigation has already been launched and is currently underway. You can read HBO’s statement below.

“HBO was saddened to learn that on June 28, during filming on the set of The Gilded Age, a horse collapsed and died, likely of natural causes, according to a veterinarian’s preliminary findings. The safety and well-being of animals on all our productions is a top priority, and the producers of The Gilded Age work with American Humane to ensure full compliance with all safety precautions. The network claims to have followed all of the proper precautions and a better understanding of what exactly happened will come in time. Following AHA’s [American Humane Association] recommendation, the horse was transported to a facility for a full necropsy. AHA has interviewed all involved personnel, and full necropsy results are pending.”

The Gilded Age premiered on HBO earlier this year and was renewed for a second season in February. Created by Julian Fellowed, the show is set during the boom years of the 1880s in New York City, a time that’s referred to as the Gilded Age. The series features an ensemble cast that includes Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Louisa Jacobson, Denee Benton, Taissa Farmiga, Harry Richardson, and Blake Ritson.