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Attorney leaving the county for law position with PETA
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Chuck Kirman / Star staff Among attorney Kay Duffy's pets are her two dogs, Guinness, left, and Buddy. In her new job with PETA, she'll help prosecute cases involving animal abuse.
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More from Local NewsAttorney Kay Duffy's next job will allow her to take a pet to work, and when one of her pets dies or is sick, she will be able to take time off to grieve or take care of the animal.
Duffy, who has been a criminal defense lawyer, has accepted a position with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to become part of a small legal staff that works directly under the founder and President Ingrid Newkirk.
Duffy, whose last day was Friday, has been an attorney in Ventura County since 1996. She graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Wash.
Duffy, of Ventura, said she will help prosecute cases involving animal abuse and file lawsuits against laboratories that use cruel methods to test a drug or product on animals.
Duffy has four cats, two dogs and two horses. Most of her pets were going to be euthanized when she adopted them.
"All of my cats are rescued. One of my dogs is rescued and one of my horses is rescued," she said.
She said there are similarities in her old job as a criminal lawyer and her new one.
"The similarity will be advocating for a client that doesn't always have a voice," she said.
"With my criminal defense clients they aren't always able to protect or defend themselves, and I am their voice. With animals, they are not a weak species, but they are vulnerable, and they don't have a voice. I am excited because now I am making my passion my job. I've always had a passion for rescuing animals."
Duffy said PETA allows employees to take well-behaved pets to work. PETA's legal department has a resident cat whose name is Stormy, she said.
"He goes from desk to desk begging for treats," Duffy said.
Attorney William "Bill" Markov with the Ventura County Public Defender's Office said he has known Duffy for more than a decade.
"Every time she has appeared in court she has been a model of what good lawyering is all about in the state of California," he said, adding that she has handled some of the "most difficult and gut-wrenching" cases.
Duffy's husband, Chris Taylor, is a master diver with the U.S. Navy and will be stationed at the Naval base in Norfolk, Va.
Duffy is a native of Lompoc, and both of her parents retired from the U.S. Air Force.
In the near future, Duffy hopes to land a job teaching law at a university and to ignite the passions of prospective criminal defense lawyers.
"We are considered to be similar to our clients because we advocate for our clients. We are often frowned upon by many, not just the public, but within the court system at times," she said.
"It's a difficult position to have, and I'm thrilled that I did it for as long as I did."
Posted by amycastillo78 on December 1, 2007 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had never thought of it this way until Ms. Duffy said it: Criminals ARE like animals.
Posted by Face on December 1, 2007 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
PETA supports terrorism vis a vie Animal Liberation Front and others who destroy years of research to help humanity by attacking research labs and violently threatening scientists. This is not a racist rant, I am not a racist. More info http://icevikings.blogspot.com/2005/1...
Posted by GWAR on December 1, 2007 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
She owns pets? She's gonna work for PETA? That doesn't make any sense. She's gonna work for an orginization that has been known to praise and fund bombers? Wow, she really does like to defend criminals.
Posted by triciarm34 on December 1, 2007 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WAY TO GO DUFF AND THANK YOU!!!
Posted by fredrico69 on December 1, 2007 at 1:47 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Common_Sense on December 1, 2007 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
P.E.T.A. - People Eating Tasty Animals
Posted by mswallred on December 1, 2007 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not sure if her work is to defend animals, but rather the illegal acts of PETA members (Then again, Ms. Duffy is a criminal defense attorney).
PETA is known in the medical community to threaten doctors who research on animals to save human lives (including Ms. Duffy, who has benefited herself from animal research). PETA members threaten schools that are teaching our future veterinarians. It is ironic that Ms. Duffy is planning to bring her pet to work, when PETA is against animals as pets. Ms. Duffy, if you want to save animals, a better place to work is your local humane society, animal control or an ASPCA office--They probably don't pay as much as PETA, but these are the people that have to deal with criminals who abuse animals. These organizations, unlike PETA, do not promote terrorist acts against others.
Posted by Tom_Johnston on December 1, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what can I say...animals is tasty!
Posted by KaylaVegan on December 1, 2007 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Animals need more people to speak up for them- they have no voice. I want to thank Kay for being the voice of the voiceless. They have no defense and are completely innocent. PETA may not use the best tactics to acheive their goal, but their intent is completely noble and positive.
Posted by amycastillo78 on December 1, 2007 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Says KaylaVegan: "PETA may not use the best tactics to achieve their goal, but their intent is completely noble and positive." How clever. See also "The end justifies the means" and "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
Posted by thsomerville on December 1, 2007 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for her, in following her passion. She will go to a job she loves and believes in every day, no matter what it is. How many of you that are being so critical of her (and you don't even know her) can say that about your job? Maybe that's why you are being so bitter. Congratulations Kay. I hope you are happy in your new position. PETA is an excellent cause.
Posted by mswallred on December 2, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thsomerville, I was one above critical of Duffy and PETA. I'm studying veterinary medicine (to be a veterinarian) and work in an animal hospital. My fellow students and co-workers have continuously been targets of PETA (Please read their history--They have tried to blow up--yes, bomb--one of the vet schools in California. They harass our teachers and threaten their families.). We definitely have passion for our work and we definitely believe in what we do. This has nothing to do with being bitter about jobs. And I'd much rather be doing what I am doing than defend criminals any day.
Posted by Zendaddy on December 5, 2007 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Peta, isnt that a sandwich type dealio?
i'll have mine with fries and a coke thank you
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