(PETA)
Michael Hackenberger, a Hollywood animal trainer and owner of Canada’s Bowmanville Zoological Park, was caught on camera brutally whipping a tiger during a training session. You can watch the video below, but be forewarned, the footage is quite disturbing.
Hackenberger is one of the top animal trainers in the film business, having worked on such movies as Life of Pi, The Interview, and George of the Jungle. In the shocking video released by animal rights organization PETA, he can be seen verbally and physically abusing a young Siberian tiger, which he whips multiple times as the animal cowers on the floor.
While later discussing his training technique, a secretly recorded Hackenberger can be heard saying, “I like hitting him in the face. And the paws… It stings more.” He then admitted that if PETA ever found out about his practices, the group “would burn this place to the ground.”
Hackenberger has since released a video of his own, titled “Our Response to PETA’s Lies,” in which he insists the situation was “misrepresented,” adding, “I would go so far as to say [PETA is] lying,”
If so inclined, watch the shocking footage below, and tell Gossip Cop who you believe, PETA or Hackenberger?
