Kramer
The Humane Society of New Orleans is suing a non-profit organization that shelters the city's stray animals and its director for violating the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Dr. Antoine Saacks filed suit on behalf himself and the Humane Society of New Orleans on Dec. 22 against the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and its director Ana Zorrilla.
The suit involves a contract the Humane Society was finalizing with the city that would have allowed them to build another shelter rather than renewing a contract with SPCA providing a shelter for the city at cost.
The Humane Society's contract was voided by the city after contract negotiations for a four-year contract worth $1.92 million annually was signed between the city and the SPCA. The Humane Society was in the process of opening its own shelter after the SPCA turned down an earlier contract offer of $1.5 million.
The plaintiff asserts the defendants ran afoul of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act because unfair methods of competition were practiced. Saacks is also trying to hold the defendants liable for defamation for statements accusing him of illegal activities in the holding of animals.
Saacks and the Humane Society are being represented by New Orleans-based attorneys Andrew L. Kramer and Andrew C. Abrams.
The case has been assigned to Division K Judge Herbert A. Cade.
Case number 2011-13149