Business Law: Principles for Today's Commercial Environment 3rd Edition by Marianne Moody Jennings, David Twomey, Marianne Jennings

Exercise 7

Glenda Brunette, a 60-year old widow, operates a pedigreed cat breeding business on her 11-acre ranch and avocado farm in Ojai, California. You can enter Brunette's ranch only by passing through a locked gate that has a "No Trespass" sign. Concerned citizens reported to the Humane Society that Brunette was "selling cats that looked sick, with eyes matted shut and covered in flies and feces." The Humane Society, a quasi-public body in California, can investigate reports of animal cruelty, impound animals, place liens on property, and bring criminal charges against citizens. The Humane Society obtained a warrant to search Brunette's property and invited Tim Dewar of the Ojai Valley News to come along and photograph the search of the ranch. Dewar came in his own car and arrived after the Humane Society had severed the lock on the gate. When he arrived, Dewar went in and began photographing the search, the animals, and Brunette. Brunette filed suit against Dewar and the Ojai Valley News for invasion of her privacy. Can she recover damages Be sure to refer to the Wilson v Layne case (on p. 5) as you consider your answer. Brunette v Humane Society of Ventura County, 294 F3d 1205 (CA 9.