Dear Friends of Animals,
I am Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich--environmental attorney, former Hardcore Gang Prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, and candidate for Los Angeles City Attorney. I’m pledging to animal lovers that, as your City Attorney, prosecuting criminal acts against animals in Los Angeles will not only continue, but will be enhanced and expanded.Caring for animals is not a political ploy for me--it is a lifelong passion. I grew up in San Pedro and my first rescued pet as a child was a rabbit, named Hoppy, who lived with our family for many years. My wife, Noreen, and I adopted two homeless Jack Russell Terriers when our children were old enough to understand that these were family members, not toys. Fortunately, we still have one of them, Myla, who is now 16 years old. So that Myla wouldn’t be alone, I adopted an adult Beagle, who we named “Lucky”, from a local rescuer three months ago. He has given Myla a new lease on life! Lucky was found in the middle of a downtown street. Today, he can usually be found dozing in the middle of our bed, burrowed under the covers.
I have also rescued many horses, including walking a frightened mare home from a garage sale when I was told by the owners that they would possibly sell her for slaughter because she was “barn sour”. After months of proper care, patience and training, she forgot her fears and enjoyed life as a beloved family companion. My wife and I saved the life of Tonka, my painted quarter horse who was kicked in the leg by a Palomino on a trail ride. The blow fractured his front left leg vertically for eight inches. Tonka was a miracle horse. He broke all expectations after six months at San Luis Rey Equine Center. He lived! In fact, Tonka became the poster horse for animal fracture study and care. His case was studied nationally at many equine veterinary conferences. He taught me so many lessons, the least of which is how much spirit and will animals have to live when they are loved.
I’m telling you this so you will know that the same things that touch your hearts most deeply have also impacted me for a lifetime—not just now that there is an election. The upcoming City Attorney election creates a great opportunity for us, as animal lovers, to put our feelings into action. This is what I envision for the future:
• The City Attorney’s Animal Protection Unit must become a powerful force, assuring that, if someone decides to keep a pet within Los Angeles, they will treat it well…or there will be consequences. On my watch, animal abuse will be vigorously prosecuted and to the full extent of the law.
• Through tough, but just, enforcement, we will increase public awareness that the City of Los Angeles does not tolerate cruelty to any animal—domestic or wildlife. I know this works because, as an environmental prosecutor, I increased public awareness of environmental violations via stern prosecution in the mid-80’s. Corporations protect our air, earth and water better today because of my hard work in the Environmental Crimes/OSHA Division of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. The same will hold true for animal-cruelty violations.
• I will partner with the District Attorney’s office to assure that crimes of abuse or neglect of animals receive the full attention they deserve. We will not settle for a misdemeanor if a felony is indicated, and I will work closely with District Attorney Steve Cooley on these cases. That way, criminal offenders will receive the level of justice they deserve. Let the word go out now: “Stay out of the City of Los Angeles if you intend to neglect or abuse animals. It’s a one-way ticket to jail!”
• We meet an additional societal obligation by protecting animals--history has chronicled that humans; especially children, women and the elderly, are often the next victims of those who harm animals. As City Attorney, I will assure that we do not excuse or disregard crimes merely because the victims are voiceless.
I want our City to be a safe place for both humans and animals, and I know you share that dream. I am asking you to give the animals a “true” voice in Los Angeles by voting for me for City Attorney on May 19, 2009.
Download my response to The League of Humane Voters, California Chapter questionnaire, by clicking here
Sincerely,
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