May 6, 2008

A press release from The Humane Society of the United States: 

HSI and The HSUS Seal-Hunt Observers: Video Evidence Proves Innocence

ISLE DE LA MADELEINE — Today, representatives of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International return to court to refute charges relating to technical violations of Canada's Fisheries Act during the 2006 commercial seal hunt.

"Using objective scientific evidence—not human estimates—I will prove that my clients are completely innocent," said Clay Ruby, lawyer for the accused. "This was one of the most documented incidents ever with four different cameras catching exactly what happened that day. The video tapes have been reviewed by independent, world-renowned video experts and prove that these charges are completely unfounded and should be dropped."

In March 2006, the defendants were documenting the commercial seal hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence from small inflatable vessels, when authorities charged them with violating a required 10-metre barrier from seal hunters on the ice as a condition of their observation permits. The defense will introduce video evidence and testimony by internationally recognized video experts that will prove the defendants were well outside the barrier.

The trial, which began in October 2007, was continued until today because after disclosure of expert testimony, the Crown requested an adjournment to review the video evidence.

Currently, an international spotlight is focused on Canada's commercial seal hunt as the European Union is poised to implement a complete ban on seal product trade, which could effectively end Canada's commercial hunt.

The defendants—Canadians Rebecca Aldworth and Andrew Plumbly, Americans Chad Sisneros and Pierre Grzybowski, and British citizen Mark Glover—were present on the ice floes to record the annual cruelty of the seal slaughter, providing video evidence of baby seals being clubbed and shot to concerned citizens around the world.

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Humane Society International is the international arm of The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—On the web at hsi.org.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—On the web at humanesociety.org.