Update: Court Rules in PETA’s Favor: ‘Opossum Drop’ License Was Improperly Issued

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2014

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

This morning, Wake County Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour ruled in PETA’s favor by finding that the license allowing the exhibition of a live wild opossum at the New Year’s Eve Opossum Drop in Brasstown was improperly issued by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC). This means that the opossum used at this year’s event never should have been exposed to the terrifying crowds and noise of the cruel event. Photos and video footage from this event show a frightened opossum unable to retreat from view and suffering from a visible eye injury, contusions to the nose, swelling of the face, and the first signs of dermal septic necrosis, a stress-induced illness that is fatal if not treated.

Today’s decision dissolved a previous ruling that allowed the New Year’s Eve opossum exhibition based on evidence submitted by the WRC—which the WRC has now admitted was “mistaken.” The “mistake” came to light during depositions of WRC’s representatives that showed statements made by the WRC at the previous court hearing were incorrect.