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Cases

Motion to Rule Filed in New York Elephant Rights Case

By Lauren Choplin

On Oct. 25th, the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) filed a motion with the New York Supreme Court, Orleans County, asking the Court to rule by Nov. 30th or immediately thereafter on our common law habeas corpus petition on behalf of Happy, an Asian elephant imprisoned alone at the Bronx Zoo.

As detailed in the Memorandum of Law that accompanied our Motion to Rule, “the NhRP respectfully submits that it is entitled [under New York law] to a prompt ruling by this Court on whether it will issue the Order to Show Cause so that Happy’s ongoing unlawful imprisonment may be addressed ‘without delay.’” Nov. 30 is the return date set by the court on the NhRP’s other pending motions.

The NhRP filed Happy’s habeas corpus petition on Oct. 2nd, demanding her transfer to an elephant sanctuary where she can exercise her fundamental right to bodily liberty. Happy is the NhRP’s fourth elephant client. Learn more about her case and read our court filings here.

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