Activists Try to Stop Birds’ Killing; 1 Arrested

An Orange County animal rights activist was arrested Tuesday as workers prepared to kill 200 coots at an artificial lake in the planned community of Rancho Santa Margarita.

The waterfowl were at the center of a debate that began Jan. 13 after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a national group, objected to plans for euthanizing the birds. Property managers said the birds were fouling the lake and surrounding lawns with their droppings and costing thousands of dollars in maintenance.

Tuesday’s confrontation marked the unraveling of talks with Merit Property Management, which provides services to the homeowners association, and Dan Fox, the owner of the company hired to remove the birds.

The activists said the property managers had agreed that nonlethal attempts would be made to rid the lake of the birds. But Fox said it was only agreed that the association would consider other measures.

Early Tuesday, workers began feeding tranquilizer-laced bread and corn to birds. Later they gathered the unconscious birds and took them away to be killed.

The operation was interrupted about 8 a.m., when protesters tried to save the birds by chasing them into the water. Jane Garrison, 32, of Fullerton was arrested on suspicion of trespassing. She was released 11 hours later.