May 7, 2008

ISLE DE LA MADELEINE — The trial of seal-hunt observers from The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International enters day two as defendants take the stand to prove their innocence relating to alleged violations of Canada's Fisheries Act during the 2006 commercial seal hunt.
In an attempt to keep evidence that proves the defendant's innocence out of court, yesterday the Crown objected to the submission of video evidence of the incident. The judge rejected the Crown's argument and allowed the video to be played.
"Trying to conceal what happens on the ice floes is business as usual here in Canada. Thankfully, the judge rejected the Crown's attempt to suppress video evidence that clearly shows my clients are innocent," stated Clay Ruby, lawyer for the accused. "Four different cameras, including one from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, recorded this incident; there is no question to what happened that day."
World-renowned experts in video forensics will testify that scientific analysis of this video proves the defendants were well outside the 10-meter barrier authorities charge the defendants violated during the 2006 seal kill.
With international opposition to the seal kill rapidly growing, the European Union considering a complete ban on seal product trade and a boycott of Canadian seafood contributing to a substantial decline in Canadian seafood exports to the U.S., the future of the Canadian seal kill is in jeopardy. 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.