Associated Press - March 16, 2010 12:24 AM ET

AMITE, La. (AP) - A state district judge has ruled that a satirical Web site can post an article about a fictional giraffe attack at a wildlife park.

After a two-hour hearing Monday, Judge Beth Wolfe struck down a temporary restraining order requiring the removal of the story from Hammond Action News' Web site. Wolfe also ordered the plaintiffs to pay $500 in attorney fees and court costs to Nicholas Brilleaux, the site's owner.

The Global Wildlife Center near Folsom, La., got a temporary order forcing Hammond Action News to take down the Feb. 25 story, saying the park received calls asking whether it was true. The center claims the story, under Louisiana law, defamed its business reputation.

Wolfe, however, said that although Global Wildlife has legitimate concerns, the story is satire and considered protected speech.

On the Net:

Global Wildlife Center: http://www.globalwildlife.com/

Hammond Action News: http://www.hammondactionnews.com/

Information from: The Advocate, http://www.2theadvocate.com

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