How Hollywood animals are repeatedly harmed in movie and TV production The tiger star in 'Life of Pi' almost drowned to death during filming, it was covered up by an overseer sleeping with a movie exec tied to the film Dozens of marine animals washed ashore during the filming of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl More than two dozen animals died during a hiatus in filming for 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' All films received American Humane Association approval Animals may have been harmed during the filming of this production. The American Humane Association is charged with protecting animals during movie shoots, but a staggering new report out claims it puts more effort into covering up animal harm than preventing it. Some of the biggest-name productions in Hollywood have seen animals die on-set or suffer near-death experiences but still received the ubiquitous AHA stamp of approval, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He almost drowned to death: King, the tiger star of 'Life of Pi,' almost drowned to death during filming Some of the more egregious incidents include dozens of marine animals washing ashore during the filming of a "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, the deaths of 27 animals during the filming of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,' and four horses dying during filming for HBO's 'Luck.' Not even the tiger star of "Life of Pi," who almost drowned to death, was safe from being covered up. The tiger, known in the film as Richard Parker, was tasked with swimming to the side during a scene and became disoriented. A trainer had to lasso him with a rope and pull him to safety. AHA monitor Gina Johnson wrote in an email obtained by THR. I have downplayed the f**k out of it. The award-winning box office smash still received the "No Animals Were Harmed" credit familiar to all moviegoers. Incredible: Four horses died during the filming of HBO's 'Luck' Four deaths: The four horses passed during the filming of only nine episodes Several dozen marine animals, including fish and squid, washed ashore during the filming of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl." They died after uncontrolled explosions were set off in the water for special effects, a rep from the AHA present during filming told THR. The non-profit declined to comment to THR regarding the film. The more than two dozen animals that fell victim to "The Hobbit" included sheep and goats that died from dehydration, exhaustion or drowning during a filming hiatus. The AHA cobbled together the following certification for the big-budget blockbuster saying it "monitored all of the significant animal action. No animals were harmed during such action. The filming of "Failure to Launch" even took the life of an innocent animal - a squirrel was somehow crushed to death by the film crew. Dozens!: Several dozen dead marine animals washed ashore during the filming of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl These allegations are seen as proof the supposed animal safety watchdog has instead jumped in bed with the film industry. "It's fascinating and ironic: From being the protectors of animals they've become complicit to animal cruelty," a former Los Angeles animal protection officer told THR. The now-retired agent said production staff at one film even once "told animal control to f**k themselves" after agents were sent to investigate the deaths of two horses. Even with the ability to issue citations and arrest production staff for harming animals, the crew of HBO's horse racing drama "Luck" escaped unscathed despite four horses dying during production. Lucky to be alive: A monkey perches on Bradley Cooper's shoulder during the filming of 'Failure to Launch' How did this happen: A squirrel similar to this one was crushed to death by the production crew of 'Failure to Launch' Ms Johnson actually was in bed with one of a production executive tied to "Life of Pi," THR claimed, adding the AHA eventually became aware of their involvement. The AHA half-heartedly admitted to THR that Ms Johnson's objectivity may have been compromised because of her relationship with the movie exec. "This is worse than doing nothing" the former animal control officer told THR. This is like a cop not just ignoring a crime but helping cover it up. An unnamed AHA employee agreed, telling THR that "the moral compass of the entire place is off the hook."