While this settlement won't end the use of chimps in entertainment anytime soon, at least this trio is finally getting to Sable, Cody and Angel, who have appeared in numerous TV shows, commercials and movies including "That '70s Show" and "The Craig Kilborn Show," were named in a federal lawsuit alleging cruelty by their California trainer Sid Yost, whose stage name is Ranger Rick.More detail from ALDF.
The lawsuit, filed in November 2005 by the Animal Legal Defence Fund, accused Yost of violating the endangered species act and the California anti-cruelty statute by subjecting the chimps to extreme pain and suffering.
Yost denied the cruelty allegations. His lawyer declined comment on the settlement.
The group brought the case after an undercover primatologist worked with Yost for a year at his southern California facility for chimps. She reported seeing him punching the chimps with his fists, repeatedly beating them with sticks and broom handles, and kicking them in the head to make them obedient.
Labels: animal law, animals in entertainment, chimpanzees, primates
