HBO's 'Luck' Temporarily Stops Using Horses During Production After Third Death

Actor/producer Dustin Hoffman's horse racing drama "Luck" has suspended use of horses during production of the program's second season. HBO executives made the decision after a third horse was fatally injured during an accident.

"We will not be filming horses until AHA completes its inquiry. Production will continue with other scenes," HBO said in a statement released to The Hollywood Reporter. "Everyone associated with Luck cares deeply about the well-being of the horses who are so much a part of the heart and soul of the production."

The troubling situation took place early Tuesday morning while one of the horses was returning to the stall. The veterinarian on set said the filly "reared, flipped over backwards, and struck her head on the ground" while on her way back to the stall.

HBO insists it is doing its best to make sure this doesn't happen again. The cable network has teamed with the American Humane Association and the CHRB to get answers on what went wrong. But as Karie Meltzer reported for ThePostGame.com several weeks ago, details about the previous two animal deaths were notably scarce.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is demanding HBO pull the plug on production of the series altogether. "HBO, David Milch and Michael Mann should be ashamed. Three horses have now died, and all the evidence we have gathered points to sloppy oversight, the use of unfit or injured horses and disregard for the treatment of racehorses," PETA said in a statement.

The show is being filmed at Santa Anita race track in Southern California. Hollywood Reporter says season one of "Luck" averaged close to 625,000 total viewers.

In addition to Tinseltown legend Hoffman, Luck's cast includes Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Richard Kind and Kevin Dunn.

Follow Ben Maller on Twitter @BenMaller.

ThePostGame brings you the most interesting sports stories on the web.

HBO, Horse Racing