Yeah, the shooting script had an entire subplot about the ice creatures breaking into the rebel base. They couldn't get the creatures look good enough with the budget and time they had, so the subplot got cut.

Still, in the released film somewhere in the Hoth base scenes there is a dead Tauntaun in the background with blood splashes on the ice walls. This is the only remnant of that subplot.

Georfe Lucas had most likely no idea what kind of movie he was making and his wife saved his ass in tge editors chair.

It doesn't fit 3PO's character, either. It would have been the only time he engaged in even indirect violence.