Consumer freedom group requests felony investigation of PETA | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    Today, the Center for Consumer Freedom sent a letter to State's Attorney Michael O. Twigg in Cumberland, Maryland, urging for a full and thorough investigation of the animal liberation group PETA for felony wiretapping based on a judge's ruling in a federal court case.

    The letter can be read here.

    The allegations originate from the federal lawsuit PETA v. Tri-State Zoological Park of W. Maryland, which stems from PETA operatives posing as volunteers to gain access to a zoo in Cumberland, Maryland and proceeding to covertly record staff members. The presiding judge recently decided to exclude any evidence PETA obtained illegally, writing, "PETA appears to have unlawfully recorded audio without first obtaining consent of those who were recorded. Such recordings violate the [Maryland] Wiretap Act and will be excluded entirely from this case."

    Will Coggin, managing director of the Center for Consumer Freedom, commented: "PETA has a well-documented history of supporting law-breaking activists to further its radical agenda of a world without zoos, livestock farms, and pets. It's high time PETA is held accountable."

    In 2001, PETA made a $1,500 "grant" to the Earth Liberation Front, which is considered a domestic terrorist group by the FBI. PETA also contributed $70,000 to the legal defense of arsonist Rodney Coronado, an Animal Liberation Front (ALF) activist who burned down a lab at Michigan State University. PETA president Ingrid Newkirk has said, "I will be the last person to condemn the ALF."

    For further comment or an interview, please contact Michael Hall at hall@consumerfreedom.com or (202) 463-7112.

    Contact: Michael Hall
             hall@consumerfreedom.com  •  (202) 463-7112