<P> A week prior to the film's release, a video surfaced on TMZ showing footage taken from the set of the film, which showed a German Shepherd dragged and dipped into rushing water while visibly resisting . After initial backlash, it was determined the video had been deliberately edited to mislead viewers . </P> <P> The film is a co-production between Amblin Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment, Walden Media and Pariah Entertainment Group . It was released by Universal Pictures on January 27, 2017, and grossed $194 million worldwide . </P> <P> In the 1950s, a feral puppy named Toby is whisked away to the dog pound and quickly euthanized, wondering if "fun" truly is life's purpose . </P> <P> His strong spirit is reborn and reincarnated as a newborn Retriever puppy in 1961, Toby leaves his cage at a puppy mill and is found by two garbage men who plan to sell him for their own profit . They leave to drink and Toby is spotted locked inside their pick - up truck by a young boy named Ethan and his mother, who rescue him from the brink of death by heatstroke . After they convince Ethan's father, the dog is allowed to stay and renamed Bailey . </P>

When did a dog's purpose take place