Tash Peterson’s legal battle has ended in her bankruptcy, with a $320,000 (£154,000) damages charge forcing the controversial couple to relinquish their passports, and unable to afford the cost of daily living
After an unsuccessful legal battle, vegan activist Tash Peterson has declared bankruptcy.
The online animal rights advocate and her boyfriend, Jack Higgs, have surrendered their passports to an Australian bankruptcy office. The news follows a defamation charge between the 31-year-old and a Perth veterinarian, Dr Kay McIntosh.
Peterson is famed for her controversial takes on veganism. With an Instagram bio reading: “If you’re not vegan, you’re an animal abuser”, the activist is often seen calling out non-vegans on social media.
In 2021, Peterson accused McIntosh of ‘eating her own patients’ – an unfounded claim that was not taken lightly. Peterson and Higgs now allegedly owe the vet over half a million dollars.
Fans saw the saga unfold in a series of videos posted to Peterson’s Instagram account. The videos began a dramatic admission from the accused: “We are officially bankrupt and our passports are being taken away from us.”
Higgs added, gravely: “So we’re going to head into a bankruptcy office and we’re gonna officially surrender our passport.”
Peterson explained that their “personal accounts have been wiped”, leaving them with “no money for everyday living expenses”.
In another video, the pair explained that vet Mcintosh’ lawyer accused Peterson of tax fraud, and profiting from her activism (claims that the woman denies).
“I’ve been forced into bankruptcy as a result of a defamation case where I was found to be unsuccessful, owing a vet clinic $320,000 in damages,” Peterson said.
“And that doesn’t even include their legal costs, putting my debt to over half a million dollars.
“During the trial, I was forced to produce financial and bank statements because their lawyer was trying to claim that I did animal rights activism for financial gain. The judge denied this claim.
The opposing lawyer also accused me of tax fraud, a serious allegation which again the judge found to be untrue. This accusation led to the Australian Tax Office auditing me for over two years worth of income and this lawyer is now being investigated by the WA Legal Board.”
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