Marineland charged with 6 new counts of animal cruelty

TheOntario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has laid six new animal cruelty-related charges againstMarineland Canada.

The organization announced the new charges against theNiagara Falls, Ont., amusement park Monday.

The new charges against theparkinvolve treatment of elk, red deer and fallow deer and include permitting the animals to be in distress and failing to comply with the prescribed standards of care.

"We want to reassure the public that the [OSPCA]will continue to make sure these animals are getting the care they require," saidSteve Toy, OSPCA senior inspector, in a news release.

Marineland, which features both marine and land animals, now faces11 charges of animal cruelty and neglect after a complaint raisedconcerns about some of the animals' well-beingon Nov. 10.

• Ontario SPCA charges Marineland with 5 counts of animal cruelty

OSPCAis saying only that charges stem from a complaint from a member of the public.

The Niagara Falls theme park said after the first charges thata recent inspection of its facilities was "prompted by pressure" from Last Chance for Animals, an animal rights organization.

The California-based watchdog groupis taking credit for submitting the complaint that has led to both sets of charges, saying itgathered evidence on the treatment of the land animals at the theme park and alerted the OSPCA.

Marineland haspreviously saidthe California groupisworking with a fired formerMarinelandemployee, who the company alleges is seeking "revenge for his dismissal."

The tourist attraction was charged with five counts of animal cruelty late-November,regardingthree kinds of animals a peacock, guinea hens and American black bears.

Those charges alsoincludedpermitting the animals to be in distress andfailing to comply with the prescribed standards of care. In the case of 35 black bears, the zoo has been charged withfailing to provide adequate and appropriate food and water.

None of theseanimals have been removed at this time based on the nature of the charges filed, said Jennifer Bluhm, OSPCAdeputy chief inspector.

'OSPCAlays strangest charges yet'

CBC News contactedMarinelandseeking comment on the new charges. The theme park declined to comment on anychanges it is making in thecare of itsland animal, but issued a statement in which it says the"OSPCA is continuing a publicity campaign at the behest of a band of discredited activists with little relevant expertise or knowledge."

The amusement park continuesto dispute concerns over the alleged mistreatments of the land animals in care, calling the additional six charges laid Monday, the "strangest chargesyet."

'Bowing to activist pressure,' Marineland says

At the time of the November charges, Marinelandissued a statement sayingthe animals in question are receiving the medical attention needed and disputedsome concerns over the alleged mistreatment of the animals in care.

• OSPCA 'bowing to activist pressure' after Marinelandcharges

It has also accused the OSPCA of "bowing to activist pressure" in laying the charges.

Bluhmresponded to this accusation stating:"Our investigation is no different than any other of the 16,000 investigations we do every year.

"The fact that we've laid an additional six counts as part of this investigation is a good example of the thoroughness that we've put into this investigation."

The OSPCA iscontinuing to monitor the animals to ensure they receive the care they need while the investigation continues.

The maximum penalties for these charges are a$60,000 fine, a lifetime ban in owning animalsand two years in jail.

Marineland is scheduled to appear in court for the 11 chargeson Jan. 26.