Supporter of Coyote Trapping Quits Panel : Wildlife: Lynne Exe says the animal regulation commission is ‘controlled by special interests.’

A Los Angeles animal regulation commissioner from the San Fernando Valley resigned Tuesday, saying animal rights advocates have unduly influenced the panel, particularly its policy to ban coyote trapping.

Lynne Exe submitted her resignation to Mayor Richard Riordan seven months after she was confirmed to the panel by a split vote of the City Council amid sharp criticism from animal rights advocates. Her resignation from the five-member commission is effective Thursday.

“They have taken control,” Exe said, referring to animal rights groups. “The commission is controlled by special interests.”

Exe has been the lone voice of support for coyote trapping on the commission, which voted 10 months ago to end the practice at the behest of animal rights organizations.

She said that despite complaints from Valley residents about coyote attacks on pets, the commission has refused to consider lifting the trapping ban.

Mimi Robins, president of the commission, declined to comment on Exe’s accusations. “I don’t have any comment and I wish her well,” she said.

Noelia Rodriguez, Riordan’s spokesperson, said Tuesday that the mayor had not read Exe’s resignation letter and could not comment on her accusations.

But Councilman Nate Holden, who nominated Exe to the panel, called her allegations “disturbing” and said he plans to call the Animal Regulation Department’s general manager, Gary Olsen, to answer her charges.

Michael Bell, vice president of the Wildlife Protection League and vocal supporter of the trapping ban, called Exe’s allegations “laughable, not even worth addressing.”

He fired off his own allegations, accusing Exe of being inflexible on the issue of coyote trapping. “I am thrilled that she is no longer going to be on the commission,” he said.

In September, Exe was confirmed to the commission by the council in an 8-3 vote despite harsh criticism by animal rights groups who said she was out of step with efforts to reform the Animal Regulation Department.

In recent months, Exe has been at odds with the other four members of the commission who have expressed support for the trapping ban. A final decision, however, is pending a 60-day study of the policy.

“Unfortunately, from the very first day of my tenure, other members of this commission, with agenda formed by vested special interest groups, have thwarted any attempts at rational humane animal care and control and conscientious public policy,” Exe said in her resignation letter.

In an interview, Exe also said she resigned because she believes that fellow Commissioner Gini Barrett should not be on the panel because she is a vice president with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

She said that the Animal Regulation Department cannot investigate charges of animal abuse in the movie and television industry as long as Barrett is on the panel.

An investigation by the city’s Ethics Commission--prompted by Exe’s charges--cleared Barrett of any conflict of interest. Barrett could not be reached for comment.