THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STEAL A PROTECTED ANIMAL
ANIMAL THEFT AND TRESPASSING DON’T GO UNNOTICED
Every case our team takes at Travis G. Black & Associates is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. A client reached out to us after experiencing an off-road accident, and we took the steps necessary to ensure they were well taken care of. Through the determination and expertise of our team, we were able to give our client the peace of mind to return to their everyday life. Here are the details of this case. Case Facts: Our client was a passenger in a vehicle that was being driven off-road. The road in question was in a hard-to-reach area, with no city or town in any direction for several miles. The defendant was speeding recklessly along the dirt road, which caused the vehicle to flip in a single-vehicle rollover accident. This left our client with several injuries, including a fractured right acetabulum, fractured right clavicle, and fractured right femur, along with some miscellaneous cuts and abrasions. Our client was in treatment for less than six months, which resulted in 25 weeks of missed work. The injuries our client sustained also caused them ongoing neck and back pain, which forced them to use a cane for a brief time. Their total cost of medical care came to $157,694.25. CASE STUDY MVA CASE: CLOSED 2017 You wake up slowly, still groggy from a raucous night out with your friends. As you look around, taking stock of your surroundings, you see the other inhabitants: a desk, your shoes, a penguin … a penguin?! While footage confirms that two young Welshmen stole Dirk the penguin from his SeaWorld Australia home, the men had little memory of the night’s misadventures the next morning — until they saw Dirk waddling around their rented apartment. The night before, after imbibing a hefty amount during their vacation in Australia, the men got the harebrained idea to break into SeaWorld and swim with the dolphins. After getting inside, video footage captured them stripping down to their skivvies and running around the facility — until they spotted the penguin enclosure. “Look at them!” one said. Distracted from their original plan, they made their way to the penguins, grabbed one, and left. Dirk, the 7-year-old fairy penguin (the smallest species of penguin), was bred in captivity and had never left his enclosure. The next morning, realizing what they’d done, the three young men panicked and released Dirk into a nearby canal. But Dirk’s misfortunes weren’t quite over. He was chased out of the canal by what onlookers
believe was a shark, only to be chased back in by a surprised dog. Fortunately, concerned passers-by called authorities, and SeaWorld workers came to rescue Dirk and bring him back to his family. Dirk returned unharmed to his partner, Peaches, but his kidnappers weren’t so lucky. Once a Facebook post recounting their misdeeds made its rounds, police traced the crime back to the two Welshmen. They were charged with trespassing, stealing, and keeping a protected animal, and there was no shortage of public shaming as their crime circulated the internet. Taking note of their letter of apology and admissions of guilt and regret, the judge enforced a heavy fine for the crime in lieu of jail time. Charges for kidnapping a protected animal vary from state to state, but the Endangered Species Act ensures perpetrators face harsh penalties, including fines and maximum sentences. The Animal Legal Defense Fund also provides free legal assistance and training to help protect animals from harm. Be careful on your next night out, and please, enjoy wildlife without stealing it!
The Outcome: In this particular case, the insurance company attempted no pushback. When our attorneys submitted our time policy limit demand, the company involved immediately provided the policy limits of $300,000 along with their umbrella policy limits of $1,000,000. This case was settled only 10 months after the incident occurred, with no litigation or lawsuit needed. We at Travis G. Black & Associates care about what happens to every one of our clients. Our staff ensures that each case is dealt with quickly while securing the substantial compensation our clients need to move on.
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