On Wednesday, a federal judge in San Diego a lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that accused SeaWorld of keeping orcas as “slaves.” PETA filed suit in October of last year, seeking constitutional protection for whales under the 13th amendment. Judge Jeffrey Miller was the first to ever hear arguments over animals’ constitutional rights. In his ruling, Miller said that protection against slavery afforded by the 13th amendment did not apply to animals, as slavery is a “uniquely human” institution. PETA said that it will regroup and continue to seek protections for whales. “Today’s decision does not change the fact that the orcas who once lived naturally wild and free, are today kept as slaves by SeaWorld,” PETA attorney Jeffrey Kerr said in a statement.
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