Noah’s Ark Animal Case Heads To Court

By Carla M. Collado
Staff Writer

A judge will rule tomorrow (Friday) whether or not Long Beach Animal Control can euthanize any of the nearly 300 animals that were seized from Noah’s Ark Animal Rescue more than two weeks ago.

Until now, a restraining order issued on Aug. 25 has barred Animal Control from putting down any of the animals. But the order expires tomorrow, and the hearing will determine whether it will be extended.

Animal Control officers raided Noah’s Ark — a no-kill animal shelter located at 1333 Redondo Ave. — on Aug. 23 and arrested its owner, Alexia Kyrklund, on suspicions of animal cruelty. Lt. Michelle Quigley, lead Animal Control investigator in the case, said the dogs and cats were found in unhealthy conditions, walking around in their own urine and feces. Kyrklund and Noah’s Ark supporters have refuted those claims, insisting that volunteers regularly cleaned the shelter.

Of the 299 Noah’s Ark animals taken, two have been euthanized, according to Wesley Moore, Animal Control manager. It was done following the restraining order guidelines, which called for the two state-licensed veterinarians hired by Animal Control and a veterinarian chosen by Noah’s Ark’s to agree that the animals were irremediable, he added.

Meanwhile, last Friday, volunteers from various pet-grooming agencies headed to Animal Control throughout the day to help groom many of the animals seized from Noah’s Ark.

“I love dogs, and to see something really nasty become beautiful, gorgeous enough to be adopted, makes me happy,” said Wonita Choquet, a groomer from Go Dogs Go, as she held up a small, white dog.

Lt. Tonya Elliott of Animal Control said many of the animals came in soaked in urine, which eventually starts to burn their skin. She said the animals were being groomed, not just for cosmetic purposes, but also for medical reasons.

“Some of these white dogs are actually yellow,” Elliott said. “We can better assess their condition once that (urine) comes off É if they have open sores, anything that needs medical antibiotics.”

Kyrklund said Animal Control and the media continue to exaggerate the conditions the cats and dogs were in. She said the mass grooming on Friday was Animal Control’s way of getting a good photo op.

“Why the hell did it take them nine days to clean them?” Kyrklund said. “It makes me cry to see them let them stay that way for nine days.”

Last Saturday, a number of Noah’s Ark supporters gathered for a rally near the Animal Control building at El Dorado Park. Kyrklund said that while 50-60 people came out, only two Animal Control supporters showed up for a brief period of time.

“It went really well, everyone was very supportive,” she said. “I thought it was a pretty good turnout for Labor Day weekend.”

According to Kyrklund, most of the signs people held up at the rally read “How many dead in your freezer Quigley?” She said she still doesn’t understand why her shelter was raided, and wonders why, if it was in such deplorable conditions, nothing had happened until now.

“She’s been inside, she’s walked the parameters,” Kyrklund said of Quigley’s regular visits to Noah’s Ark in the past. “It’s just absurd.”

Tomorrow’s hearing will take place in a San Pedro courthouse. Moore said Animal Control still is working on the investigation and building its case against Kyrklund and Noah’s Ark. The animals are being held as evidence in the case, and Kyrklund has yet to be criminally charged.

If the judge decides not to extend the restraining order against Animal Control tomorrow, Kyrklund said she knows exactly what will happen.

“There’s nothing I can do,” she said, “they’ll start killing immediately, I guarantee you.”

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