via Nikki Finke's DHD

Yesterday, PETA placed full page ads in Variety and the National Enquirer calling on readers who witness animal abuse to call in to a special hotline number. The ad featured a chimpanzee in a dress with the tagline "Not everyone wants to be famous."

PETA claims that the chimpanzee playing the role of Chim Chim was beaten on the set of Speed Racer.

A spokesperson for the film confirmed that a chimp bit a young actor, but said that the actor was treated and the animal was given a time-out. She gave testimoney from the American Humane Society that no animals were hurt.

But PETA isn't happy with these assurances. “No humane representative is closely monitoring those animals while off-set or during pre-production training, the very places where abuse is most likely to occur,” the organization responded, “so we regret to say that the assurances you offer are meaningless.”

What do you think about using animals on set? Should films be allowed to use live animals if they can be monitored properly or only animatronics? Let us know here.