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Max and Will Arnett in Show Dogs
Photo: Global Road Entertainment
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Studio Global Road Entertainment have announced they are re-cutting their family film Show Dogs - released today in its uncut form in the UK and Ireland - for the US market after American parents and campaigners including the US National Center on Sexual Exploitation claimed the film might inadvertently suggest to children they should suffer abuse in silence.
The concerns focus on two scenes in which police dog Max (voiced by Ludacris) has his genitals felt by his human partner (Will Arnett) in preparation for going undercover at a dog show. Although the scene is played for laughs, it has caused an outcry in the US.
Global Road have now said they will be cutting the scenes “that some have deemed not appropriate for children”.
The Nation Center on Sexual Exploitation said: “The movie Show Dogs sends a troubling message that grooms children for sexual abuse. It contains multiple scenes where a dog character must have its private parts inspected, in the course of which the dog is uncomfortable and wants to stop but is told to go to a ‘zen place.’
"The dog is rewarded with advancing to the final round of the dog show after passing this barrier. Disturbingly, these are similar tactics child abusers use when grooming children—telling them to pretend they are somewhere else, and that they will get a reward for withstanding their discomfort. Children’s movies must be held to a higher standard, and must teach children bodily autonomy, the ability to say ‘no’ and safety, not confusing messages endorsing unwanted genital touching.”
Global Road Entertainment said in a statement: “It has come to our attention that there have been online discussion and concern about a particular scene in Show Dogs, a family comedy that is rated PG.
“The dog show judging in this film is depicted completely accurately as done at shows around the world; and was performed by professional and highly respected dog show judges. Global Road Entertainment and the filmmakers are saddened and apologise to any parent who feels the scene sends a message other than a comedic moment in the film, with no hidden or ulterior meaning, but respect their right to react to any piece of content.”
The BBFC, who rated the film PG, said on Twitter: "A re-edited version has not been submitted to us".
The BBFC added: "Show Dogs is an action comedy in which a dog called Max is sent on an undercover mission to foil the actions of a group of dog smugglers. As part of this undercover operation he is required to enter a dog show in Las Vegas. Some comedy is made about the fact Max is reluctant to let his handler and the judges inspect him. However, the scenes in question are entirely innocent and non-sexual and occur within the clear context of preparation for and judging in a dog show. We regard the comments made about the film as suggesting 'grooming' as a misinterpretation of the scenes in question.”
A spokeswoman for Entertainment One, who are releasing the film in the UK said: "We are taking the BBFC/IFCO guidance in this matter in the UK and Ireland and will be releasing the original version that has been censored and reviewed."
This is the second time this year that a family film has faced controversy on release, after Peter Rabbit caused a social media storm over its jokes regarding food allergies.
