Elburn vet drops lawsuit over anonymous 'rag doll' cat websites
An Elburn veterinarian apparently has been successful in shutting down anonymous websites that were critical of her business of selling rag doll cats, a docile breed known for their blue eyes and going limp like a doll when held.
Jennifer Creed reached a confidential settlement with one of five John Does in her libel lawsuit filed earlier this year, according to court records.
Creed's attorneys also asked that lawsuits against the other four John Does be dismissed - with the option to refile in the future - a request that was granted this week by Kane County Judge James R. Murphy, according to court records.
"None of the defendants have filed appearances. There is no prior motion that, if favorably ruled on by the court, could result in a final disposition as to any defendant," wrote attorney Lis Brodzinski in court papers.
Creed reached a confidential settlement with John Doe 1 on May 19, records show.
"We don't have any comment and neither does our client," Brodzinski said when contacted by phone.
The websites critical of Creed could not be found via Internet search Friday.
Creed, owner of A+ Pet Vet and Dr. Jenn's Ragdolls, sued in April for libel, defamation and sought unspecified damages for what she characterized as a campaign to hurt her business and reputation.
"It's just total B.S.," she said at the time. "You can't hop online and say anything about anybody."
The websites argued that Creed bred and kept the kittens in poor conditions, didn't care for them properly, and the cats were diseased, aggressive and would bite their owners. According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Creed has never been disciplined since earning her veterinary license in 1993.