Animal Welfare Complaints Result in Wrongful Termination Lawsuit
Vallejo, CA: Concerns about animal welfare at a Six Flags park in California have reportedly resulted in a wrongful termination lawsuit against the theme park operator. Michael and Holley Muraco filed the California wrongful termination lawsuit because they say they were retaliated against for reporting Six Flags for poor animal care.
According to court documents (found online at NBC News), Michael Muraco had been the Director of Animal Care for Six Flags since 2007. At the time he was hired, Michael reportedly told his supervisors that upgrades were required to address animal care, including poor water quality and public safety. Among his concerns were that dangerous animals could escape enclosures and dolphins were at risk for respiratory illness. Meanwhile, Holley Muraco is a Zoological Reproduction Physiologist, who signed a five-year contract with Six Flags in 2012 to assist with reproduction of animals.
Michael claims that despite his repeated warnings and complaints, steps were not taken to address his concerns until matters became serious, such as when an elephant was caught climbing over an enclosure.
“Michael Muraco complained, inter alia, that dolphins were addicted to unnecessary drugs, that marine mammals were not being fed proper diets, and that the Park was not putting enough salt in the salt water,” court documents allege. “The failure to address these problems was extremely detrimental to the health and welfare of the animals at Six Flags.”
Holley Muraco, meanwhile, reported issues that she felt caused an “abnormally high mortality rate for baby animals,” including dolphin water that was not properly temperature controlled, dolphins being given daily steroids to mask chronic illnesses and abusive dolphin training techniques. An investigation by the USDA following the deaths of two baby dolphins concluded the Muracos were correct in their concerns, and cited Six Flags for some of its infractions.
Ultimately, Michael and Holley Muraco were terminated from their positions and were reportedly told they were terminated because they endangered animals at Six Flags. In their lawsuit, Michael and Holley Muraco allege they were retaliated against for reporting legal violations at Six Flags.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act, the Workplace Health and Safety Act, and public policy. Furthermore, both Michael and Holley allege defamation on the part of various Six Flags employees. Six Flags issued a news release in which the company said the lawsuit is without merit.
According to court documents (found online at NBC News), Michael Muraco had been the Director of Animal Care for Six Flags since 2007. At the time he was hired, Michael reportedly told his supervisors that upgrades were required to address animal care, including poor water quality and public safety. Among his concerns were that dangerous animals could escape enclosures and dolphins were at risk for respiratory illness. Meanwhile, Holley Muraco is a Zoological Reproduction Physiologist, who signed a five-year contract with Six Flags in 2012 to assist with reproduction of animals.
Michael claims that despite his repeated warnings and complaints, steps were not taken to address his concerns until matters became serious, such as when an elephant was caught climbing over an enclosure.
“Michael Muraco complained, inter alia, that dolphins were addicted to unnecessary drugs, that marine mammals were not being fed proper diets, and that the Park was not putting enough salt in the salt water,” court documents allege. “The failure to address these problems was extremely detrimental to the health and welfare of the animals at Six Flags.”
Holley Muraco, meanwhile, reported issues that she felt caused an “abnormally high mortality rate for baby animals,” including dolphin water that was not properly temperature controlled, dolphins being given daily steroids to mask chronic illnesses and abusive dolphin training techniques. An investigation by the USDA following the deaths of two baby dolphins concluded the Muracos were correct in their concerns, and cited Six Flags for some of its infractions.
Ultimately, Michael and Holley Muraco were terminated from their positions and were reportedly told they were terminated because they endangered animals at Six Flags. In their lawsuit, Michael and Holley Muraco allege they were retaliated against for reporting legal violations at Six Flags.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act, the Workplace Health and Safety Act, and public policy. Furthermore, both Michael and Holley allege defamation on the part of various Six Flags employees. Six Flags issued a news release in which the company said the lawsuit is without merit.
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