Bainbridge citizens file additional lawsuit against SHM primate facility

A group of Bainbridge citizens have filed an additional lawsuit over the proposed Safer Human Medicine primate facility, with Safer Human Medicine, the Decatur County-Bainbridge Industrial Development Authority, and the Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County listed as defendants.

The citizens, many of whom’s properties either directly border the facility site, or are in the same vicinity, argue the potential negative economic impacts, as well as the noise and smells of the facility causing “loss of use and enjoyment” of their property. Loss of property value and risk of exposure to diseases from the facility are other arguments they cite in their official court filing.

The citizens request in the lawsuit a declaratory judgment of the facility as a nuisance, a permanent injunction to halt the facility’s construction, and monetary damages equal to the diminished value of the plaintiff’s properties, to list just a few.

In a response to the Post-Searchlight, a SHM spokesperson said, “ This lawsuit is without merit. Construction on our facility has yet to begin, let alone start operating. As previously stated, we will manage this facility to the highest standards, prioritizing animal welfare, safety, and environmental responsibility. We look forward to a favorable ruling from the Georgia Court of Appeals soon so that we can build this facility, create hundreds of good-paying jobs, and invest millions of dollars into the Bainbridge community.”

In a press release, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) brought up the previous record of Safer Human Medicine’s CEO at the breeding company Envigo, and expressed their support for the citizens, saying, “PETA stands with the residents of Bainbridge in rightfully opposing a loud, smelly, and dangerous monkey-breeding operation in their backyard.”

The Post-Searchlight will provide updates on this case as they become available.

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