French bulldog breeder sues woman for Facebook comments
A defamation dogfight has erupted in the courts, with a french bulldog breeder launching legal action against a woman who claimed she was an unfit and untrustworthy dog owner.
Police & Courts
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A blazing dogfight has erupted with a french bulldog breeder launching legal action against a woman who claimed she was an unfit and untrustworthy dog owner.
Sharryn Aurisch, owner of Sale based Unique French Bulldogs, is suing Cheryl Wilson over a series of Facebook comments in which Ms Wilson implied Ms Aurisch and her business were deceitful, abused their animals and were ripping of their customers.
In a County Court statement of claim, Ms Aurisch is attempting to muzzle Ms Wilson who she fears will continue to defame her business and reputation if a court does not order her to stop.
“(Ms Aurisch) has been injured in her credit, character, reputation and profession, and has been brought into disrepute and contempt,” court documents state.
Ms Wilson unleashed a barrage of comments on the breeder’s Facebook page earlier this year, claiming a litter of puppies became sick while in Ms Aurisch’s nursery and had “wormy bellies” and “dull coats”.
“The pup would have got sick in your stinking nursery, I could not bare (sic) to be in there, it stunk of putrid urine and ammonia,” Ms Wilson posted online.
The Herald Sun understands Ms Wilson is in a defacto relationship with Ms Aurisch’s vet, who is not involved in the dispute.
The biting comments have hurt Ms Aurisch’s commercial and professional standing in the dog breeding community, court documents allege.
Mark Stanarevic, principal lawyer at Matrix Legal who is representing Ms Aurisch, said his client is hoping the matter can be resolved.
“My client is passionate about French Bulldogs and would rather spend her time with the animals than in litigation,” Mr Stanarevic said.
“However she is prepared to continue to go to court to protect her good reputation and felt that this was the only option … due to the escalated personal and business attacks she has received online from a select group of people,” he said.
Ms Aurisch is seeking aggravated and exemplary damages for injury to her reputation and special damages for loss of business.
Ms Wilson said her comments had been taken out of context and she was merely standing up for friend that had earlier posted a bad review.
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