Alleged HBO Cover-up on ‘Luck’ Horse Abuse

Was “Luck” abusing horses? The alleged HBO cover-up of the abuse and death of the horses on its TV show “Luck” now goes to court. A former director of production in the American Humane Association’s film and television unit, Barbara Casey, who was terminated in January 2012, is suing over the alleged HBO cover-up.

Casey claims that the AHA was coerced by HBO to approve the production and keep from contacting law enforcement officials.

“AHA bowed to political and financial pressure and refused to report the Production Defendants’ conduct to the authorities. AHA instructed Plaintiff not to report such conduct. AHA engaged in efforts to conceal and cover up the production defendants’ criminal activities.”

According to the Casey’s complaint posted by The Hollywood Reporter:

Casey says the AHA observed drugged horses, underweight and/or sick horses routinely used for work on the show, the misidentification of horses by producers so that animal safety reps couldn’t track their medical histories and more.

Casey says HBO and Stewart Productions wanted to save time and money and that rather than cooperate with AHA, the production companies pressured the organization to allow them to violate the AHA’s animal safety standards.

The series has already been canceled after PETA protested the show.

HBO denies the alleged cover-up in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter:

“We took every precaution to ensure that our horses were treated humanely and with the utmost care, exceeding every safeguard of all protocols and guidelines required of the production. Barbara Casey was not an employee of HBO, and any questions regarding her employment should be directed to the AHA.”