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Undercover Cameras OK, Judge Rules
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ShareApril 13, 2007 11:31 AM
A federal judge dismissed a chinchilla ranch's lawsuit against an animal rights group, saying the activists have a right to conduct undercover investigations that include videotaping.
Michigan chinchilla ranchers Robin and Julie Ouderkirk filed suit in late 2004 against People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), charging the group had invaded their privacy, mischaracterized them and caused them emotional distress by pretending to be interested buyers for the Ouderkirk's ranch in order to come onto the property and videotape their operations.
Yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge David M. Lawson dismissed the suit. "Undercover investigations are one of the main ways our criminal justice system operates," Lawson wrote in his decision, noting that investigative television shows "often conduct undercover investigations to reveal improper, unethical, or criminal behavior."
Lawson also found that PETA's video, "Nightmare on Chinchilla Farm," which featured the Ouderkirks' operation, was a "truthful publication of and [featured] accurate representations of" the couple's activities."
"We were disappointed," Robin Ouderkirk told ABC News Thursday night. With their suit, the couple sought to force PETA to stop showing their video and pay them unspecified monetary damages and attorney fees. Now, "our whole outlook on this thing is that it will go away and die and be over."
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
Asked how it felt to be the subject of an undercover investigation, Ouderkirk responded, "How would you feel if I showed up at your place of business...and out-and-out lied to you, and published said story? They used me as their poster child."
Of the experience being the subject of an undercover investigation, Ouderkirk said, "I would avoid it, if possible."
PETA has led a campaign against chinchilla farmers who they believe use inhumane and unsafe practices, including electrocuting the tiny animals and snapping their necks. "Nightmare on Chinchilla Farm" featured footage of the Ouderkirks doing both.
April 13, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (52)
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Good job judge!
I am not a big fan of PETA but the judge is right - many of the worst, most vile crimes are discovered undercover. Look at the child preditor stings. Are we to let these crimes go because some chinchilla torturer wants people to leave him alone. (He didn't give the animals that consideration, why should anyone return the favor for him?)
HURRAY JUDGE!
Posted by: spay_n_neuter | Apr 13, 2007 2:07:54 PM
These people are the scum of the earth. I hope they die in Hell.
Posted by: David Lowry | Apr 13, 2007 2:08:21 PM
that amoral chinchilla should be prosecuted. which there was real jail time for people who abuse animals.
Posted by: goofygrape | Apr 13, 2007 2:17:14 PM
This family is upset because they were caught. Good work Peta (I'm a memeber) Keep it up and hopefully these animals raisings animals will come to their senses and treat our animals with respect and the care that they deserve.
Posted by: carmela | Apr 13, 2007 2:26:58 PM
its not about supply, its about demand. I dont think most consumers are aware of the butchery that goes on in the treatment of helpless animals. I think labels should include how the animals used in garments are harvested, including the snapping of necks, electrocution or hurled against barn walls. Ugh. We should be ashamed.
Posted by: Scott | Apr 13, 2007 2:28:49 PM
I am VERY disappointed in you, Ouderkirk! I felt so sick in my stomach while watching the video! We need to STOP that!
Posted by: Patti | Apr 13, 2007 2:35:37 PM
PETA is a bunch of nuts. Nothing they do should command anyone's respect or interest. I love animals... they are delicious.
Posted by: bob | Apr 13, 2007 2:36:01 PM
Robin and Julie Ouderkirk should be ashamed. Congrats to PETA on winning the lawsuit and exposing the way these people operate.
Posted by: Karrie | Apr 13, 2007 2:44:44 PM
Someone needs to stop PETA's terrorist ways!!! I love animals too...but you can't just invade someone's life using terrorist tactics and think it's ok! They harass people and sometimes destroy lives...and they think it's cool. PETA HATES PEOPLE!!
Posted by: Jerry Hampton | Apr 13, 2007 2:45:41 PM
It's always good to read about a victory for animal rights. But eliminating the cruelty is just the first step. It will not happen in my lifetime or the lifetime of any living human, but I hope we will one day evolve to a level of humanitarianism that does not require the killing of animals.
Posted by: MaryLou Harper | Apr 13, 2007 2:59:21 PM
You go PETA! These despicable people deserve to be put out of business. I'd like to see them meet the same fate as the chinchillas.
Posted by: Tina Louise | Apr 13, 2007 3:27:59 PM
First of all, I would like to applaud the judge. Second, we also need to protect unborn children who are slaughtered every day. We are too busy spending Billions of Dollars to protect animals when helpless babies are being killed because they are "unwanted."
Posted by: Damian | Apr 13, 2007 3:33:33 PM
I protect animals- PETA good job- do you imagen if animals could talk? and fight for their rights? humans by now will be dead. Lets be more sensitive with animals at least try no to hurt them and protect them as another species on this world.
Posted by: Nena | Apr 13, 2007 4:01:41 PM
Congrats PETA and good job judge. How dare the Ouderkirks act as victims when they are the ones who were victimizing helpless animals
Posted by: Laura | Apr 13, 2007 4:05:03 PM
FIRST OF ALL BOB, YOU ARE A PIECE OF JUNK!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE TO EAT SLOP OUT OF A PIG TR0UGH. AND AS FOR THE OUDERKIRK'S - WELL, THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THEIR ACTIONS. I WISH WE HAD POWERFUL LAWS IN PLACE FOR PEOPLE LIKE THEM, SIMILAR TO THOSE IN PLACE FOR CHILD ABUSERS. YOU SICK, SICK PEOPLE. I DON'T BELONG TO PETA BUT I MAY JOIN AND I HOPE THEY KEEP BUSTING CRUEL, HEARTLESS CREEPS LIKE YOU. MAY YOU BE GRANTED THE SAME PAIN IN LIFE THAT YOUR ANIMALS HAVE RECEIVED. AND, FOR YOU WHO WEAR THE STUFF - WELL, SHAME ON YOU!!
YES, PETA DOES GO TO EXTREMES TO BRING THINGS TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION BUT IF THEY DIDN'T, JARHEADS LIKE YOU WOULD LET CRUEL ACTS JUST SLIDE. AND THAT'S THE ISSUE HERE, CRUELTY!
CHERYL K. JORDAN
Posted by: Cheryl J. | Apr 13, 2007 4:20:41 PM
I can understand how a government law agency goes underground to catch criminals, but what right does a private organization have to use false pretenses to do what PETA did. What the Ouderkirks were doing may be wrong in the eyes of PETA but are not criminal.
Posted by: Don | Apr 13, 2007 5:43:10 PM
I agree with the judge on this issue. Now, how are we going to hpold PETA accountable for outright lying about other things? Do you recall their whopper ab't the outdoor Nativity scene in Anchorage?
Posted by: David Conklin | Apr 13, 2007 5:53:18 PM
i think that peta and the judge were out ov line. maby peta and the judge should go to africa, rowanda,and iraq and all the countrys that kill their own people just for the fun of it, an then tell every 1 here how to how wonderfull it is over there. so wake up judge, peta is a radical group--an a terriost group--------so git a grip and open your eyes. we are not talking sexual preduators here we are talking honest hard working people
Posted by: ken | Apr 13, 2007 6:18:32 PM
If PETA is right, does ends justify means? Did they have a court order to invade privacy? Did Ouderkirk's need a better lawyer?
Is it OK to slaughter truth in the pursuit of justice? You cannot have one with out the other.
Posted by: keith | Apr 13, 2007 6:18:45 PM
The judge compared undercover investigations by the media and PETA to criminal justice investigations? The judge is a lunatic.
Posted by: Sam J | Apr 13, 2007 10:56:48 PM
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