Gentle Giants and Burt & Tracy Ward File SuitOn August 23, 2005, I was handed a Summons for a lawsuit filed against me, Marc Sayer (Deaf Dane Rescue) and 2 other individuals by Burt and Tracy Ward and Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, in an attempt to stop us from speaking out to the public about their rescue operation and about how they have drastically impacted other peoples’ lives as a result of adopting Great Danes from their organization.
The suit alleges 7 separate Causes of Action:
• Defamation (Libel) of Burt and Tracy
• Defamation (Trade Libel) of Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions Inc.
• Intentional Interference with Potential Economic Advantage of Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions Inc.
• Negligent Interference with Potential Economic Advantage of Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions Inc.
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress to Burt and Tracy
• Negligence
• Injunctive Relief
Their attempts to intimidate and bully people will not prevent us from continuing to try to keep people informed. That sort of behavior may have worked for them in the past, but they are dealing with a new mindset now. We are careful to verify and document what we publish, or to clearly state when we are voicing an opinion or theorizing, and we believe we are within our rights under the First Amendment to speak out on these issues. Gentle Giants is a 501c3 public charity and is subject to public scrutiny. What happens there is of interest to other adoptors, other rescues, to public shelters and other agencies, and to the public in general. The public has a right to know how this public charity conducts themselves.
What are WE doing about it?
On October 21, 2005 our attorneys have filed "Special Motions to Strike" because this is a meritless SLAPP.
To learn more about California Anti-SLAPP Laws (Stragetic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) visit
www.CASP.net (California Anti-Slapp Project)
The State of California has set up laws to protect individuals, like yourselves, from being sued as a result of informing the public of safety and public concerns.
Because the public has the right to know what’s going on ...I have developed a new website to keep the public informed about what is happening at Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, Inc.; about what has happened to other people that have adopted from Gentle Giants; to keep you all posted on the progress of the lawsuit; and helpful resources for the care of your Great Dane or Gentle Giant family member.
Introducing
GENTLE GIANT NEWS www.gentlegiantnews.comPlease take a few minutes to check it out.
This website is full of helpful resources about Great Dane Rescues, Medical Emergency Information, Food for the Great Dane, Products for your Great Dane, and some fun too.
===>>> Also, in conjunction with GENTLE GIANT NEWS, another website (Rescue Watchdogs) has been developed to provide the public with more documented evidence along with other news and "happenings" at Gentle Giants Rescue and other Rescue Organizations around the nation. Visit
http://rescuewatchdogs.comToday’s News:Burt Ward denied an InjunctionBurt Ward appeared in court today to obtain an injunction against Marc Sayer (producer of Rescue Watchdog website) and was denied AGAIN, after previously being denied on October 27, 2005 of a temporary restraining order against Mr. Sayer.
We would love to hear your feedback.
Please visit out message board to give your input.
http://www.gentlegiantnews.com/messageboard/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=429a18436789f01219ce7c369380ffb7 Sincerely,
Barbara Laird
GENTLE GIANT NEWS“Discovering the Truth about Gentle Giants”
