SeaWorld sued over 'enslaved' killer whales

[jbond197]

SeaWorld sued over 'enslaved' killer whales

The five wild-captured orca "plaintiffs" are based at SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Diego


Five killer whales have been named as plaintiffs in a court case which argues they deserve the same constitutional protection from slavery as humans.

A US judge is considering People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (Peta) lawsuit against SeaWorld.

It is reportedly the first time a US court has heard legal arguments over whether animals should enjoy the same constitutional protections as humans.

SeaWorld's legal team said the case was a waste of time and resources.

The marine park's lawyer, Theodore Shaw, told the court in San Diego: "Neither orcas nor any other animal were included in the 'We the people'... when the Constitution was adopted."

He said that if the case were successful, it could have implications not just on how other marine parks or zoos operate, but even on the police use of sniffer dogs to detect bombs and drugs.
'Historic case'

Peta claims the killer whales are treated like slaves for being forced to live in tanks and perform daily at the SeaWorld parks in California and Florida.

It is not considered likely that the whales will win their freedom, but campaigners said they were pleased the case even made it to a courtroom.

The lawsuit invokes the 13th Amendment to the constitution, which abolished "slavery or involuntary servitude" in the US.

Jeffrey Kerr, the lawyer representing the five whales, said: "For the first time in our nation's history, a federal court heard arguments as to whether living, breathing, feeling beings have rights and can be enslaved simply because they happen to not have been born human.

"By any definition these orcas have been enslaved here."

Hearing the arguments for about an hour, US District Judge Jeffrey Miller raised concerns over whether animals could be represented as plaintiffs in a lawsuit.

He will issue a ruling at a later date.

Peta names the five wild-captured orca plaintiffs as Tilikum and Katina, who are at SeaWorld Orlando; and Kasatka, Corky, and Ulises, at SeaWorld San Diego.

It is not Tilikum's first time in the media spotlight - he drowned his trainer before horrified spectators in February 2010, prompting a ban on the Florida park's employees entering the water to perform tricks with the orcas.

The same whale has also been linked to two other deaths.

If the case is successful, it will be a death blow to Sea world. Shamu's show is one of the main attraction points at Sea World. The show used to be awesome few years back but had suffered since trainer accident during live show.

 

[Chogy]

PETA = lunacy, detachment from reality.

We can all agree that animals should be properly treated and slaughtered mercifully for food. But to declare them "people?" That would force everyone to become vegetarians. All pets would be prohibited.

They are animals. We are people. There is a difference.

 

[darkinsky]

PETA = lunacy, detachment from reality.

We can all agree that animals should be properly treated and slaughtered mercifully for food. But to declare them "people?" That would force everyone to become vegetarians. All pets would be prohibited.

They are animals. We are people. There is a difference.

slaughtered mercifully, dude then dont slaughter it at all!!

be a veggie

btw, if you are implying that muslim way of slaughtering is painful then please read the science article its less painful then even electric shocks

 

[untitled]

slaughtered mercifully, ......

That is not what he meant bro

 

[Chogy]

slaughtered mercifully, dude then dont slaughter it at all!!

be a veggie

btw, if you are implying that muslim way of slaughtering is painful then please read the science article its less painful then even electric shocks

Wow, how did "Muslim way of slaughtering" even get slightly connected with my post? Where did I even mention or insinuate "Islam" anywhere?

I think I understand... I have two U.S. flags, therefore I must be some foaming anti-islamic redneck on a mission, right?

FYI - slaughtered mercifully = quick death with minimal pain. We don't torture animals. Is that too difficult to comprehend?

---------- Post added at 10:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:15 AM ----------

Please tell me you're not "Ricardo" from Iran defense.

 

[Vassnti]

. All pets would be prohibited.

Pets are slaves? Please come talk to my two cats they have a definite opinion on who is the servant. I get to brush, feed and clean the litter tray and if i have been good they leave me a small gift of a dead mouse in the loungeroom to show their appreciation.

 

[Ganymede]

PETA = lunacy, detachment from reality.

We can all agree that animals should be properly treated and slaughtered mercifully for food. But to declare them "people?" That would force everyone to become vegetarians. All pets would be prohibited.

They are animals. We are people. There is a difference.

Sir,

While i enjoy reading your posts i respectfully gotta say that this particular one was rather myopic in its view. Before i get labeled a PETA nut i would like to point out that while i partially agree with your definition of humans and animals, its imperative to specify that both in fact belong to the animal kingdom. Orcas (killer whales) are one the smartest creatures on this planet and are capable of cognitive brain function rivaling that of humans. The are highly complex "conscious" mammals that live in communities, hunt in packs and are highly intelligent (once saw this video where they worked in tandem to wash the seal off of the glacier). Evolutionary speaking, they are equipped with "tools" to rule the seas are are not meant to languish in a 10 foot pool for personal amusement. While i agree that organizations like PETA go a bit too overboard in their quest to ban all animal captivity and slaughter, they have a point when they say that mighty mammals like the Orcas do not deserve to be treated the way they are being treated. My point is simple, prolonged captivity has the potential to mess with a conscious beings mind, case in point, the recent killing of the sea world instructor by an Orca. I don't really blame it, heck i would do the same if someone threw me in a 6 by 6. Hope you didn't take offense as berating you in anyway was not my intent.