Ruling Stands: Cruel 'Opossum Drop' Is Illegal

State Wildlife Resources Commission Drops Appeal

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Brasstown, N.C. -- The formerly annual "Opossum Drop" at Brasstown's Clay's Corner—in which a live opossum was suspended above a rowdy crowd in a Plexiglas box for hours before being "dropped" about 40 feet in imitation of the Times Square ball drop—will remain illegal. Just two days after PETA filed a motion for sanctions against the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) for pursuing its appeal of Judge Fred Morrison's decision in Wake County Superior Court confirming that it is unlawful to use a live native wild animal in events such as the Opossum Drop, the WRC today filed papers in Wake County Superior Court to dismiss its appeal.

"In recognizing that captive wildlife species shouldn't be needlessly harassed, North Carolina has taken a welcome step forward," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders.

North Carolina law prohibits possession of live wildlife without a permit. These permits require "humane treatment" of wild animals. On November 13, the Office of Administrative Hearings in Wake County ruled that "WRC has no authority to issue any permit to [Clay's Corner owner Clay] Logan for the unlawful public display of a native wild animal at the Opossum Drop Event."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.