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October 4, 2006

Dog Owners Sue Trainer for Broken Hollywood Dreams

Now that people are having fewer children, the "stage parent" phenomenon — whereby people attempt to become movie stars vicariously through their kids — has been extended to dogs. Hollywood Paws LLC capitalizes on this phenomenon by offering relevant training. But though many dogs may be called, few are chosen for the silver screen. The also-rans' broken-hearted owners have expressed their disappointment by filing a lawsuit.

A Rottweiler named Goliath, whose owner Rachel Armstrong is taking part in the suit, ran up a $2,000 bill at Hollywood Paws. He was subsequently booked on "The Tyra Banks Show," but his segment ended up getting cut. Now Goliath is making do on $100 a day for appearing in a low-budget movie.

The company's website makes it clear that immediate stardom is hardly guaranteed:

If you have the requisite commitment and drive, we can give you and your pet the tools to vie for acting work. But show business is, well, a dog-eat-dog world – the competition for animal parts is as fierce as any human casting call. It's still up to the production company, director, producer, casting agent and other professionals to make the final decision.

Nonetheless, owners insist that Hollywood Paws pay for their broken dreams.

Hat tip: Overlawyered

Posted by Van Helsing at October 4, 2006 9:18 AM