Marineland, OSPCA continue sparring
It didn’t take long for Marineland and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) to renew hostilities.
A week after 11 charges of animal cruelty filed by OSPCA against the park were dropped in a Niagara Falls courtroom, the two sides were once again chirping at each other following a surprise inspection of Marineland on Wednesday.
In dueling statements, Marineland said the inspection found “no signs of abuse, distress, mistreatment or neglect” among its animals, while the OSPCA says inspectors found “11 items requiring action” involving veterinarians.
Neither side was budging Friday, referring media requests for comment to their own press releases.
They were the latest salvos in a battle which started in November, when the OSPCA laid five animal cruelty charges against the park following an inspection. Marineland immediately disputed the charges, saying they stemmed from a fired former employee.
OSPCA laid six more animal cruelty charges after a January inspection. In total, the 11 charges involved the park’s black beers, elk, deer and one peacock. Marineland accused the agency of being “in bed” with “a band of discredited activists.”
After a number of deferrals, the charges were finally addressed in Provincial Offences Court July 10, where they were promptly dropped by the Crown. Eight of them because of no “reasonable prospect” of conviction, according to the Crown, and the remaining three because they were not deemed in the public’s interest to pursue.
Following court, Marineland further blasted the OSPCA, citing “severe reputational damage at the hands of the OSPCA’s publicity and fundraising machine.”
OSPCA said it was “extremely disappointed” in the outcome and vowed to keep inspecting the park.
Which it did just six days later.
Marineland’s resulting press release touted the results as more proof of the “questionable charges” laid by the OSPCA.
“Yesterday’s inspection further confirms Marineland’s total innocence to all allegations made by discredited activists and the recently withdrawn charges laid by the OSPCA that Marineland has categorized as ‘bizarre.’”
Soon after Marineland’s statement Thursday, the OSPCA countered with its own: “Contrary to what was stated by Marineland, the Ontario SPCA zoo inspectors found 11 items requiring action during our recent unannounced zoo inspection. Recommendations were made to address deficiency/concerns and administrative requirements.”
It added the park was given until Friday to address the concerns.
Friday morning, Marineland said it was “once again on the receiving end of factually incorrect claims” by the OSPCA, saying it received a letter from zoo inspector Maryanne Pryer listing only three areas of concern — none involving the current condition of animals.
They involved necropsies for recently deceased beluga whale Gia and walrus Sonja; a water testing report for the marine mammals; and water testing results for the bear enclosure.
Further, Marineland said the OSPCA statement about the 11 items requiring action were made by “public relations pro” Melissa Kosowan, who had “no actual involvement in delivering Ontario SPCA’s animal welfare mandate.”
“Ms. Kosowan’s claim that their inspection found anything contrary to what Marineland stated is a complete and utter falsehood.”
When asked about Marineland’s comments, OSPCA communications director Alison Cross said “Yes, we are aware of their recent release. Our statement remains the same.”
She added that the 11 items requiring action were “being addressed, and that the animals are under veterinary care as requested.”
Marineland urged OSPCA to “have their facts straight” before making “inflammatory statements” to the media and public.
“Statements by the Ontario SPCA like this unfairly cause damage to Marineland Canada’s reputation with the public, and undermine their own credibility as a law enforcement organization/charity due to lack of fact basis.”