"We support those brave warriors out there who take it to the next level," Ferdin said.
Ferdin and her husband, Jerry Vlasak, are facing a criminal trespass charge for refusing to leave Diliberto's property during a protest. Ferdin insists that she was only distributing leaflets in the neighborhood.
The number of dogs euthanized in city shelters has dropped from 39,086 in fiscal 2001-02 to 29,624 in fiscal 2003-04, according to city officials. The Animal Services Department says it has pursued an aggressive campaign to get more dogs adopted and to persuade owners to spay or neuter their pets. There are also privately run shelters in the county that have no-kill policies.
Activists, however, are not satisfied with the changes. They picketed the home of the agency's former chief, Jerry Greenwalt, until he quit, and also protested in the street in front of the home of former Mayor James K. Hahn.
Greenwalt was replaced by Guerdon Stuckey, who has also drawn the wrath of animal rights advocates. Ferdin said that the only reason activists haven't protested at Stuckey's home is because they haven't yet figured out his address.
And if Stuckey doesn't go?
The Animal Defense League will take its protest to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Ferdin said. "You need to understand our constituents are not the people. Our constituents are the animals and we believe if the animals could do what we're doing they would. We're standing up on their behalf. We need to expose these atrocities."
Police say they have tried to enforce a city law forbidding protests within 100 feet of private residences.
Otherwise, many city officials say they are powerless to stop the activists.
That may soon change.
Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes Larchmont Village, has said that he may ask the city's Police Commission to forbid protests in front of private residences.
That hasn't deterred picketers from marching on the sidewalk in front of Diliberto's residence carrying signs such as "Animal Killer In Your Neighborhood" and "Diliberto Murders Puppies & Kittens" while chanting slogans such as "We Know Where You Live At Night," police and neighbors say.
