Update from Attorney Todd Krauss

Many of you have had questions about the on-going criminal case filed against Alex and Gloria of Noah's Ark. As their attorney, I thought it would be helpful for all of you to receive an update.

First, let me thank you for your patience. For many of you, I am sure it seems like the wheels of justice are turning slowly; but, we have actually been able to move this case along fairly quickly. This is a very large case with many extenuating factors and our preparations have been ongoing since day one and continue today. However, I must say that after having seen all the evidence from the City of Long Beach, I am happy to represent Alex and Gloria because it is quite obvious that this case is one largely of retaliation and has no merit in my opinion. This case was designed to keep Alex and Gloria QUIET; but unfortunately for those who wanted to silence them, it will produce just the opposite affect.

I also know that many of you are concerned about the animals that were seized. According to the information released from Long Beach Animal Control (LBAC), all of the dogs who were seized but not euthanized have been adopted. It is our understanding that about a third of the cats are still being held and many continue to get upper respiratory infections while in LBAC's care. Many of you have worked quietly in the background to facilitate adoptions and transport for the animals, and others of you have worked to keep the media's and community's attention on the animals. All of your efforts have been very instrumental in keeping LBAC from killing off Noah's Ark's animals.
In my own opinion, making these animals suffer for LBAC's personal vendetta is the most despicable aspect of this whole saga. As a fellow animal lover, helping to clear the name of two women who have been such advocates for animals in the southland and the ability, in some measure, to give voice to the animals is a part of the reason I am dedicated to this case.

In the coming weeks, I anticipate that the court room will become quite animated. I encourage any of you who have the time to join us to show your support and to share in the shocking information I will be revealing. It's easy to be a Monday morning armchair quarterback; but the time for change is now and it is up to ALL OF US to the affect change in the City of Long Beach, and that requires all of us to courageously step up NOW to demand change. If you have been threatened, harassed or pressured to give up an animal please contact us immediately. You may very well testify at court and help bring the change we all desire.

I am confident that we will win this case. However, I want to do more than win, I want to be able to affect some real change within the Long Beach Animal Control's methods and practices. I can only achieve that goal if people are willing to come forward and speak the truth about what is going on. The time is now.

The prosecutor for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (the DA's office prosecutes felonies, the City Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor cases) has also tried repeatedly to force Alex and Gloria to have two attorneys. It is their Constitutional right not to do this; and, they have chosen to be represented only by me. It was District Attorney's intention to pit Alex & Gloria against each other; but not only did it not work, it further strengthened their resolve and determination in this case.

Alex and Gloria's case will be heard by a jury. The court asked if there was ANY WAY to resolve this case, and the answer was a RESOUNDING NO. Even if they were offered a plea, neither of them would accept one. As an attorney, I would advise my clients what is in their best interest, and in this case, I whole-heartedly agree with them. Neither of these women is guilty of ANYTHING except loving and caring for animals. I do not know many people who would be brave enough to risk everything they have because they believe so much that Animal Control needs to clean house and that the City of Long Beach is overdue for animal reforms.

I cannot tell you about much of the evidence right now; we must save that for the trial. I can tell you based on testimony from the preliminary hearings that at the most basic level, the city has serious problems with their case. Testimony from the prosecutions witnesses has been wildly conflicting.

I can also tell you that I anticipate many gasps in the courtroom as we present our case. Thus far, you have really only heard what Long Beach Animal Control and the Long Beach City Attorney have wanted you to hear – and they have painted a very skewed picture. Photos taken at just the right angle, horrendous statements to the press by people who later testified they had no prior knowledge of nor had ever visited Noah's Ark, testimony that was muddled and confused at best – these have been the weak foundation upon which the city has built their case.

I urge you to be at court as much as possible to learn the full truth. Once you have seen the WHOLE picture, as I have, you will also know that Alex and Gloria are innocent. The Noah's Ark Justice Committee will post the court schedule on their blog at http://najustice.blogspot.com .

It has also come to my attention that people have been contacted by LBAC without that being disclosure to us in the discovery phase , which is improper. I am hearing that others have been intimidated regarding this case, and still many more have endured what they believe to be illegal seizure of their former Noah's Ark pets by animal control officials. I also understand that many in this community have had difficulties -- to put it mildly -- with Long Beach Animal Control. Coming forward with the truth may seem daunting and risky. But rest assured, none of this is proper especially when it comes to this case and it's time for this frontier mentality to end.

I have set up a special email address for people to notify me if they were contacted by LBAC and were coerced or threatened to elicit their testimony in any way. Please contact me via email at: tkrauss.atty@gmail.com. For those of you who have had difficulties outside of this case with Long Beach Animal Control, please contact the Noah's Ark Animal Justice Committee at their email address: lbac_justice@yahoo.com

The time for action is now. I know it has been a difficult getting to this point and many of you have been filled with doubts because we have been unable to share with you so much of the underlying evidence of this case. From what I have seen, it is time for a change in the way animals are cared for and managed in the City of Long Beach. If you want to see that change, it's time to step up now.

Again, my thanks for your patience as we take this case to trial and I hope to see you all at the Long Beach Courthouse. Further, I look forward to celebrating the truth of this case with you all as it is revealed.
Sincerely,
Todd Krauss, Esq.
Tkrauss.atty@gmail.com