PETA's Official Statement About the Zerate Lawsuit Settlement

On August 16, 2017 I reached out to PETA for a statement about the Zerate lawsuit settlement. In addition to the $49,000 amount to be paid to the Zerates for the mistake involving Maya, PETA stated that a $2,000 donation to the Virginia Beach SPCA has already been made in Maya's honor. Read PETA's official statement below.

"This case has been settled. We will now, however, be looking at those behind the scenes who, in a third-party conspiracy, used a tragic accident to further their own ends and who, it is clear, salivated over the prospects of shutting down PETA’s free and low-cost services to the community. The owner of the dog, Maya, has acknowledged in a written statement that he realizes that her death was a tragic mistake, and his family has expressed gratitude to PETA for its services to the community. Last year alone, PETA spent over $2 million on free and low-cost care for local families and their animals, including emergency veterinary care; flea, tick, and flystrike preventive medications; and free spaying and neutering to prevent animal homelessness, as well as replacing inadequate shelter, like metal drums, with doghouses and straw bedding in winter and answering emergency calls for assistance, such as free euthanasia services and end-of-life care for those with no funds to pay for it. PETA will be making a donation to the Virginia Beach SPCA in Maya’s honor. For more information about PETA's lifesaving shelter and fieldwork, please visit our website."--People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals