Animal Activists Guilty of Trespass at Knott’s

Two animal rights protesters who chained themselves to the dolphin tank at Knott’s Berry Farm last year were found guilty of trespassing Friday in Municipal Court in Fullerton.

Gina Lynn, 24, of Costa Mesa and her mother, Sherry Trapp, 55, of Buena Park contend they were only trying to educate the public about mistreatment of dolphins at the amusement park when they staged their protest in May 1995.

After a four-day trial, the jury found both guilty of trespassing, and Lynn guilty of resisting arrest.

“There was a lot of emotion and I respect the jury’s decision,” said deputy District Atty. Brian Gurwitz.

“Their love for animals is very noble, but they crossed the line of legal versus illegal protest.”

Neither of the defendants, nor their attorney, could be reached for comment late Friday.

Lynn and Trapp, members of the animal rights group Orange County People for Animals, chained themselves to the railing of the dolphin pool and disrupted a dolphin show that was about to begin.

The group claims the tank’s proximity of the park’s roller coaster created stressful noises that harm dolphins who, they maintain, are extremely sensitive to noise.

A spokesman for Knott’s Berry Farm could not be reached after Friday’s verdict.

Trapp faces a possible sentence of up to 90 days in jail and a $400 fine. Lynn faces up to 15 months in jail and a $1,400 fine. They are scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 4.