Equine welfare during the filming of the television series "Luck" is the subject of complaints recently filed with two California agencies by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

An original series of the premium television network HBO, "Luck" depicted some aspects of the horse racing industry. During filming of the series in 2010 and 2011 two horses were injured and subsequently euthanized. A third horse died in March 2012, Production of the series was subsequently suspended and eventually cancelled.

On May 3, PETA announced it had filed complaints with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the California Veterinary Medical Board. The complaints allege that horses used in the series were underfed to reduce production costs, that sick horses were used in filming, that some of those horses disappeared from the set without explanation, and that the horses’ trainer was warned of potential equine neglect charges. The complaints also allege that improperly trained and unprepared horses were used in racing sequences and that horses were regularly tranquilized to keep them docile.

Wendy Wegner, PETA spokeswoman, said that information provided by a whistle-blower, including emails and memos from the American Humane Association (AHA), prompted the filing of the two complaints. The AHA, an organization that establishes animal welfare guidelines for animals used in film and entertainment, monitored treatment of the animals used in the "Luck" production