Streaming platforms have been urged not to “backtrack” on protecting audiences from scenes of animal abuse, as Disney Plus airs an uncut version of a 1989 film including a scene featuring the mistreatment of a rat cut by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) on animal cruelty grounds.
The film – The Abyss – was recently added in 4K to Disney’s streaming service, but includes a controversial scene where a real rat is forcibly submerged in fluorocarbon liquid – aimed to demonstrate that the rodent could breathe in the liquid.
While the rats used during filming are said to have survived the ordeal, the scene remains prohibited from UK cinema screenings and physical media releases.
In the 1980s, when the film was due to be screened in UK cinemas, the BBFC took advice from the RSPCA about the animal welfare implications of the scene. At the time, the charity was unequivocal that “the forcible immersion of the rat … caused terror”.
Given the infliction of terror, the scene was cut by the BBFC under the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, meaning it must be cut for any theatrical use. The BBFC – as the regulator of content released on physical media – has also cut the scene under the Video Recordings Act 1984, meaning it must not be included on releases on formats such as Blu-Ray and DVD.
UK television channels must also adhere to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code – which states no material cut refused classification by the BBFC may be broadcast to viewers – meaning the scene should also not be aired on traditional TV.
But streaming platforms are not bound by the same standards as film releases in cinema, DVD or on traditional television – and the RSPCA fears this provides a “loophole” to broadcasting animal abuse long considered unacceptable on other mediums.
David Bowles, the RSPCA’s Head of Public Affairs, said: “The RSPCA is really concerned that a loophole currently exists allowing animal abuse scenes deemed unacceptable elsewhere to be streamed freely and legally into our homes.
“The Abyss’ controversial rat scene has long concerned the RSPCA, and has always been deemed unacceptable by BBFC – so it’s hard to fathom out why Disney Plus has decided to broadcast it.
“We need to ensure people are not being exposed to content which promotes or showcases cruelty to animals.
“As the way millions of households consume entertainment changes, it’s vital the legal framework is responsive to that and continues to consistently protect people and animals.”
A new piece of legislation – the Media Act – enhances Ofcom’s regulation of streaming services, and the regulator is due to publish a new video-on-demand code. The Act recently marked one year (24 May) since coming into effect, with the VOD code to be finalised later this year. The RSPCA hopes this Code delivers a “degree of consistency” with animal abuse content standards across cinema, home entertainment and streaming services.
Many streaming services already work with the BBFC on a voluntary basis and the RSPCA hopes Ofcom will highlight this work as good practice in the new code.
David added: “We hope a new code of conduct under the Media Act will help close this loophole – but we need to see a degree of consistency between streaming platforms and other forms of more traditional entertainment, so people can have confidence when watching films and other shows.
“It doesn’t make sense that we have robust safeguards for animal-related content shown in cinemas, on DVDs or on traditional television channels – yet those protections could go out the window when you turn on a major streaming service. We can’t backtrack now on what society deems is acceptable in terms of how we treat animals.”
The call comes as the Online Safety Act introduces new rules to social media companies on removing animal abuse content from their platforms – in particular to protect young people from seeing such photos and videos.
The RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index revealed last year that more than one in five people (22%) had witnessed avoidable animal suffering online – rising to 32% of those in Generation Z (aged 18-24), and 43% of those aged 16 or 17.
David said: “Sadly, we fear animal cruelty has been normalised for many young people given the proliferation of sickening content online.
“The Online Safety Act is making attempts to clamp down on this content, and urge social media companies to act against the promotion and glorification of unnecessary animal suffering. But streaming services must not get left behind – and we’re ready to work with the government, regulators, the entertainment industry and other stakeholders for a consistent framework that respects every kind of animal.”
A British Board of Film Classification spokesperson said: “Through our trusted age ratings and content advice, the BBFC works to empower audiences to make informed viewing decisions. All our age ratings are informed by our published Classification Guidelines, which are based on wide-scale public consultation. We also take into account UK legislation, and we will not classify any material that is in breach of the criminal law.
“The Abyss was originally submitted to the BBFC in 1989, containing a scene in which a character submerges a live rat in liquid. We sought expert legal and veterinary advice – from the RSPCA – at the time which confirmed the scene constituted the cruel infliction of terror on an animal, and its exhibition would contravene the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937.
“As a result, the scene was edited from the film in order to be legally exhibited in the UK. The scene remains cut from all BBFC-classified versions for cinema and home entertainment release.”
The RSPCA publishes its own Guidelines for the Welfare of Performing Animals, which contain advice for anyone involved in using animals in the entertainment industry, particularly concerning adopting good welfare practices.
