AceShowbiz -

PETA calls for boycott of film "A Dog's Purpose" after the leak of disturbing footage from filming set. The video showed a man trying to put a German shepherd into churning water, even though the dog was clearly unwilling to and kept clawing the pool's edge.

"PETA is calling on dog lovers to boycott the film in order to send the message that dogs and other animals should be treated humanely, not as movie props," said the organization.

Director Lasse Hallstrom has stated in his Facebook account that he didn't witness the actions. "I did not witness these actions, which are unacceptable and would never happen with my knowledge," he writes. "We were all committed to providing a loving, respectful and safe environment for all the animals in the film. I have been promised that a thorough investigation into this situation is underway and that any wrongdoing will be reported and punished."

Production house Amblin Entertainment and distributor Universal Pictures say, "Fostering a safe environment and ensuring the ethical treatment of our animal actors was of the utmost importance to those involved in making this film and we will look into the circumstances surrounding this video."

The disturbing scene was shot in a pool outside Winnipeg, Canada, in November 2015. According to TMZ, the German shepherd was one of at least five dogs used during the filming. In the video, a voice off-camera said, "He wants to get away, just throw him in." Another said, "Cut it!"

While "A Dog's Purpose" crew is accused of animal cruelty, the film based on bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron promises a touching tale between human and dogs. It "shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love."