A California-based animal rights group says the Crown's decision to drop all charges against Marineland, despite having sufficient evidence to move forward on at least three counts, is shameful.
Last Chance for Animals submitted a 35-page complaint that prompted an O-S-P-C-A investigation in November.
The 11 charges against the Ontario tourist attraction were dropped yesterday after prosecutors said there was no reasonable chance of conviction.
During a brief hearing in a Niagara Falls courtroom, the Crown said it could have proceeded on three of the charges, failing to comply with standards of care for a peacock, guinea hens and a red deer but given the weakness of the case and potential court costs did not think it was in the public's interest.