amazon-shuts-down-the-pack-lindsey-vonn-after-animal-treatment-controversy

Amazon Shuts Down ‘The Pack’ with Lindsey Vonn After Animal Treatment Controversy

Amazon is cancelling the reality canine competition series The Pack after just one season. Further, the new series faced some controversy after leaked footage showed dogs in unsafe conditions.

Amazon announced the decision against renewing the series for a second season. The show’s host was Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn and her dog Lucy. Further, the abrupt end of the program comes after its debut in November.

People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had condemned the show previously. In a statement, the organization said, “animals are individuals – not props for movies and TV shows.”

However, an Amazon spokeswoman said that PETA’s statement did not influence their decision to cancel.

That being said, the group took the decision as a personal victory. They took to Twitter with the following response:

“VICTORY! @PrimeVideo’s #ThePack has been CANCELLED,” PETA wrote on Twitter. “In December, PETA condemned the show after this horrifying footage of dogs dangling in midair and swinging into rock faces was leaked. Animals are individuals—not props for movies and TV shows!”

The Pack, which has been deemed “The Amazing Race with dogs,” was produced by eOne-owned Naked and Afraid producer Renegade 83 and Amazon Studios.

Plot of The Pack

The show The Pack features twelve teams of dogs and their humans on an epic adventure across the world. In each different location, the owner and canine duos go through a series of various challenges. Additionally, each challenge includes the human/dog partners and a team of veterinarians and dog experts that accompany the group on their journey.

The winning team receives a $500,000 prize with an additional $250,000 going to an animal charity of their choice. Amazon also donated $250,000 during the filming of the show to multiple charities and animal rescue organizations in each country, helping to pay it forward to dogs and those who love them around the world.

Meanwhile, Mark LeBlanc and dog Ace were the winners of the first and only season of the show. LeBlanc is a mechanical engineer from Salt Lake City, Utah. He won the $500,000 and he donated $250,000 to Best Friends Animal Society. The group is an animal welfare organization with a sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.

The Pack was Vonn’s first time with a major hosting gig. Vonn is also considered one of the best skiers of all time.

Vonn’s list of accolades includes four World Cup overall championships as well as the gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Vonn’s dog, Lucy, is a Cavalier King Charles.