Why Would Marineland Just File A $21 Million Dollar Lawsuit Against Ontario SPCA?

For many years, animal advocates have voiced their concerns about the welfare of the captive animals at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

In November 2016, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) filed five animal cruelty charges against Marineland regarding the theme park’s failure to provide prescribed standards of care for its bears, guinea hens and a peacock.

Two months later, the OSPCA filed six additional animal cruelty charges related to the treatment of the park’s elk, red deer and fallow deer.

All 11 animal cruelty charges were dismissed in August by the Crown in Provincial Offences Court, which said there was no “reasonable prospect” of conviction for eight of the charges and the other three were “not in the public’s interest” to pursue.

But, now, according to our partner Care2, on October 31, 2017, Marineland filed a $21 million dollar lawsuit against the OSPCA on the grounds of malicious prosecution, negligent investigation, injurious falsehood, and abuse of power and process.

“OSPCA’s purpose in filing the animal cruelty charges “was not the enforcement of the law,” according to Marineland’s statement of claim. “It was motivated by a series of improper objectives, including a desire to accomplish its own policy agenda, to mollify the animal activist community, to please its donors, and to effectively destroy Marineland.”

Really?

“The Ontario SPCA vehemently denies all of the allegations and will defend itself,” states the organization’s website. “No further comment can be made at this time as the matter is being referred to counsel and is before the courts.”

According to In Defense of Animals, Marineland, which ranked second on the organization’s list of the 10 Worst Tanks for Dolphins and Whales, is “notorious for suing anyone who opposes its cruel facility.”

In the past five years alone, Marineland has filed ten lawsuits, none of which have been settled.

Please Sign The Petition Requesting That Marineland Retire All Live Animals From Their Theme Park HERE!