Sure, why not have this happen.
It won't surprise you to learn that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was behind the investigation that discovered the slave monkeys in Thailand. (As an aside "Slave Monkeys in Thailand" would make a GREAT name for a rock band. Or a Netflix series.)
The company, Theppadungporn Coconut Co., Ltd., stands accused of using monkeys as "coconut picking machines" to produce their Chaokoh brand of coconut milk. If the allegations are true then this is a disgusting practice.
Costco had been an important customer but of course does not want to have anything to do with monkey slaves. (Human slaves are another matter, but monkey slaves are just a bridge too far.)
This was a significant victory for PETA and its long battle for monkey rights which just two years ago suffered a stunning setback when a U.S. court ruled that monkeys could not be the legal copyright owner of pictures they took of themselves using a wildlife photographer's camera. This was significant as the wildlife photographer had published a book using the ill-gotten monkey selfies getting all the likes and influencer status that properly belonged to the monkeys which was totally not cool.
What would a bunch of monkeys do with royalty payments had they won the case? Not to worry, PETA had magnanimously offered to administer the funds for the benefit of a new espresso machine. I mean, for the benefit of the monkeys. That's what I meant.
The implications of this are far-reaching. What if we determine that forcing animals to do things against their will is a crime? Will my dog have standing to haul me before the Hague over his twice-a-day canine versions of the Bataan Death March? I mean, he seems to enjoy them but he could just be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Or, Barkholm Syndrome perhaps.
And what of dairy cows? Will farmers need to secure consent forms? Will OSHA standards apply? Who will organize the Christmas office party?
And don't even get me started on charges that could be brought on the part of cattle, pigs, and chickens.
In fairness, the conditions under which the monkeys worked did sound pretty gruesome.
Some monkeys used in the Thai coconut business are allegedly "illegally abducted from their families and homes when they're just babies." Monkeys are fitted with metal collars and kept chained, reportedly not allowed to socialize with others. Monkeys are then responsible for "twisting heavy coconuts" until they fall off, all while chained to metal collars, per PETA.
Okay, fine. While the company denied the allegations, I understand why Costco would not want to be associated with this practice and I don't much want to be either. Sickos.
Besides, I'm not too worried about my dog rising up to demand his rights. That would require he get fewer than 16 hours of sleep a day.
