In March of 2015, animal rights groups gleefully spammed the news when they announced a class action lawsuit against SeaWorld. They knew they had no legal standing and no facts for which to stand on. They just wanted to media attention and your donations.
And, on December 23rd, 2015, a federal judge tossed the suit out of court on the first motion to dismiss. The judge never even had to hear the case it was so frivolous.
A Frivolous Lawsuit
This class action lawsuit was based on the debunked film “BlackFish” and alleged that SeaWorld had misled visitors.
The class action lawsuit was a combination of five other junk suits from California, Florida and Texas that all made similar wild accusations. SeaWorld told the Orlando Sentinel that the lawsuit “is clearly a publicity stunt” intended to generate more news coverage of John Hargrove‘s anti-SeaWorld book.
The lawsuit was frivolous and follows a long string of failed litigation by radical animal rights groups. Those groups were rightfully tossed out on their butt at the first opportunity. They barely even made it into the courtroom.
SeaWorld is among the world’s most respected zoological institutions, regularly inspected by the U.S. government and two professional zoological associations. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recently granted SeaWorld accreditation from its independent Accreditation Commission. There is no higher priority for SeaWorld than the health and well-being of its animals.
Dismissed with Prejudice
After evidence was submitted to the court, a federal judge dismissed all the claims against SeaWorld, some with prejudice and some without.
‘Dismissed with prejudice’ is important because it means the allegations are permanently dismissed and that the plaintiffs cannot refile.
This dismissal sums up that the claims activists use to tarnish SeaWorld’s good name do not hold up in a court of law.
When contacted by the LA Times about the losing this lawsuit, PETA stated that this loss was just a “legal setback.”
PETA will continue their groundless attacks and continue their publicity stunts, but the general public and the media should tune them out.
Who Should You Trust
Now that this latest legal stunt suit has been dismissed and with prejudice, the media and people who donate to animal rights groups should be asking who to trust.
SeaWorld has rescued over 27,000 sick, injured or stranded wild animals over the past 50 years.
SeaWorld has helped restore habitats that were once destroyed.
SeaWorld has helped save species that were on the brink from going extinct.
Since opening their doors in 1964, SeaWorld has helped inspire over 400,000,000 people to connect and appreciate our natural world through real connections with real animals.
When you look to find the truth a good rule of thumb is to seek action as they are less likely to lead you astray than words. Over the past 51 years, SeaWorld has been engaged in making our world a better place. Those trying to tear down SeaWorld continue to lie for their own gain.
Source: Hall v. Sea World Entm’t, Inc., Case No. 3:15-cv-00660, Slip Opinion (Order entered, entered December 23, 2015