[DanaC]

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinio...al_groups_agree_to_pay_nearly_16m_to_ringling

Animal groups agree to pay nearly $16M to Ringling

Thursday, May 15, 2014

By:Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The parent company of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus says it has received a nearly $16 million settlement from the Humane Society of the United States and other animal-rights groups.

The settlement ends a decade-old lawsuit in which multiple animal-rights groups alleged the circus mistreated its elephants. In 2012, a judge said the complaint was frivolous and forced the circus' owner, Vienna, Virginia-based Feld Entertainment, to spend millions in legal fees.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had already agreed separately to pay more than $9 million to settle.

Feld issued a statement saying Thursday's final settlement is a vindication of its practices.

The Humane Society says it settled because it didn't believe the court would address its core claims regarding elephant abuse.

 

[Dave Holquist]

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2014...nning-elephant-cruelty-dispute/8601400174608/

Based upon what I read in this article, I'd call the Boston Herald's article inaccurate, at best. The original suit by the animal rights groups was dismissed by the court in 2009. After that, Feld Entertainment, owner of Ringling Bros., filed a countersuit against the animal rights groups alleging racketeering and this settlement is the result of that litigation. The animal rights groups didn't want the countersuit to go to trial fearing even higher damages.

It seems that justice has prevailed.

 

[Larry Hatfield]

if anyone needs a bloody nose it's wayne pacelle. but with 10 million supporters they will hardly miss the money.

 

[DanaC]

Dave, thanks for the clarification. Larry, every bit helps ;-)