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Phillip Demers and Smooshi - photo from the Toronto Sun

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Was there a plot to steal Smooshi?

Walrus trainer fights Marineland lawsuit

Updated: Thursday, 14 Feb 2013, 5:39 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 14 Feb 2013, 12:47 PM EST

Nancy Sanders

NIAGARA FALLS, ONT. (WIVB) - A former Marineland employee has been accused of hatching a plot to steal a walrus.

Philip Demers is being sued by Marineland for $1.5 million in damages for allegedly trying to steal Smooshi the walrus.

The Toronto Sun reports that Demers is an outspoken critic of Marineland who made a pitch to the park to become the Walrus Whisperer in a reality television show.

The park maintains that when the reality show idea was rejected Demers quit his job as an animal trainer and caregiver to Smooshi.

Demos and his girlfriend, Christine Santos, another former Marineland worker, have been making charges of animal mistreatment and abuse to the Toronto Star.

Demers appeared Tuesday in a St. Catharines, Ont. Courthouse to face those charges.

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