Katy Perry dismisses PETA criticism of 'Roar'

Katy Perry did not take too kindly to criticism from animal advocates PETA about the supposed cruelty to the tiger, monkey and elephant actors used in filming of her latest video, "Roar."

An avowed animal lover and herself an advocate for animal rights, Perry obtained a letter from the American Humane Association, which said it was present at all three days of the video's shoot:

"American Humane Association was on set for the filming of the above referenced music video, which used an elephant, a monkey, birds and a tiger. After reviewing the reports, we believe that the Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media were followed and that no animal was harmed in the making of this music video."

Insiders also said the "animals dictated the pace of the shoot," which kept things at a "slow pace."

PETA took offense to the use of animals in the "Roar" video, which shows Perry making friends with an elephant, a monkey, a crocodile a tiger, and several birds.

While the group didn't take offense to anything seen in the video, they said the casting of animals in such videos often puts stress on animal actors.

“Animals used for entertainment endure horrific cruelty and suffer from extreme confinement and violent training methods,” wrote PETA's Merrilee Burke in a statement. “They often become stressed and anxious when hauled around and forced into unfamiliar or frightening situations.”

The singer also unveiled the second track from her album "Prism," due out October 22. The song, titled "Dark Horse," isn't the second official single, but it features rapper Juicy J.

Whether the video will include any horse actors, Perry didn't say.