Pairi Daiza animal park and its founder Eric Domb have been the subject of accusations since 2019, which have appeared on the Facebook pages of non-profit organization Wolf Eyes and the website of its administrator Jean-Michel Stasse. The accusations include a photomontage associating Domb with a bloody bear, claims of animal starvation and questions regarding the origin of animals. Additionally, there were allegations equating Domb with the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. These publications were widely circulated on the internet.
To address these accusations, Pairi Daiza and Eric Domb pursued legal action. While the first three court decisions only required the removal of certain publications and did not result in compensation for damages, the March 14, 2023 ruling from the first civil chamber of the Hainaut Court of First Instance (Mons division) found the ASBL and its representative guilty of attacking Domb’s honor and reputation. They were also accused of using abusive, threatening or sensationalist language and false information. As a result, they were ordered to pay 12,500 euros in damages and 225,000 euros in penalties for non-compliance with previous court decisions.
Pairi Daiza and Eric Domb have pledged to donate all of these funds to the preservation of endangered animal species.
Since 2019, the Pairi Daiza animal park and its founder Eric Domb have been the subject of accusations on the Facebook pages of the non-profit organization Wolf Eyes and the website of its administrator Jean-Michel Stasse.
Photomontage associating Eric Domb with a bloody bear, accusations of having starved an animal or on the origin of animals, assimilation of Eric Domb to the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un… Publications which have widely disseminated on the internet.
To put an end to these accusations, Pairi Daiza and Eric Domb went to court. If the first three court decisions did not condemn the attackers to compensate for damage, but only to withdraw certain publications, the same is not true of the judgment rendered on the merits on March 14, 2023 by the first civil chamber of the Hainaut Court of First Instance (Mons division).
Recognized guilty of attacking honor and reputation, of using abusive, outrageous or even threatening terms or of using false information for the purpose of sensationalism, the ASBL and its representative are ordered to pay 12,500 euros damages, to which are added 225,000 euros in penalties imposed for non-compliance with previous court decisions.
Pairi Daiza and Eric Domb undertake to donate all of these sums for the benefit of the preservation of endangered animal species.
In conclusion, the accusations once morest Pairi Daiza and its founder Eric Domb have finally been put to rest through a court ruling. The accusations, which included false information, abusive language, and even threatening statements, have resulted in a significant penalty for the non-profit organization and its administrator. However, Pairi Daiza and Eric Domb have decided to donate all of the damages and penalty fees towards the preservation of endangered animal species, showing their commitment to animal welfare and the importance of protecting our planet’s wildlife. Let us hope that this ruling serves as a reminder to all that spreading false information and attacking others’ reputation does not go unpunished.
