CARE Says String of Lawsuits Over

This from Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort's PR person -- the same used by the city:

San Juan Capistrano animal rescue group victorious in string of baseless lawsuits

The Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), which was formed in 2000, has been vindicated by the courts from a string of meritless lawsuits dating back nearly 5 years.

Jeffrey Parkhurst and his wife, Katherine Hammersly, first sued CARE in 2006 over her removal from its board of directors. CARE prevailed against Hammersly when it won a summary judgment in 2008. Hammersly appealed the ruling and lost her appeal a year later.

In November 2008, Parkhurst filed a separate lawsuit alleging CARE engaged in “unfair competition.” The court in 2009 also found his claim was without merit. Parkhurst appealed that ruling and lost his appeal last month.

"The court did not find this or any of his other arguments compelling," said CARE’s attorney Adina T. Stern. "Since they filed their first action back in 2006, Parkhurst and Hammersly have consistently been defeated. It is just a shame CARE was forced to spend time and money defending itself in these ridiculous lawsuits."

Marsha Schwartze, executive director of CARE, said this victory is bittersweet. “It is heartbreaking when animals have to suffer because of human egos," she said. "The court vindicated CARE after 4 1/2 years of litigation, as we knew they would. But what a waste of assets to prove the truth and to what end? How does this benefit San Juan Capistrano animals?"

CARE's is being advised by its attorney whether or not its costs in defending this case are recoverable. Since its inception a decade ago, CARE has rescued and adopted more than 1,200 pets.

 For more information about CARE, visit www.capoanimalrescue.com.

Comments

[Karen]

The link to capoanimalrescue.com didn't work