TRIAL OPENS FOR MAN CHARGED IN PET'S DEATH

The Superior Court trial starts today for an Oxnard man accused of
dissecting his young daughter's guinea pig while high on methamphetamine
because he believed it was a government spy robot.

If convicted on the drug and animal cruelty charges, 34-year-old Benny
Zavala faces up to three years in state prison, but would likely only
receive a year in County Jail or probation because of his clean record,
authorities said.

The case -- possibly the first felony prosecution in the area over a rodent
- -- has drawn the attention of national animal-rights advocates, who
recently wrote to Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury.

"If the allegations against Zavala are accurate, then we believe him to be
in dire need of psychiatric intervention," wrote Martin Mersereau, a
Norfolk, Va., caseworker for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
"The safety of the community may depend on it."

Zavala, who has been free on bail since shortly after his arrest last year,
watched quietly Friday as attorneys spent five hours selecting a jury.

Finding impartial jurors for animal cruelty cases can be difficult because
of the close relationships people have with their pets, attorneys say. And
the Zavala case held true to form.

One woman was rejected after saying her religious beliefs include
worshiping animals, and a man was dismissed after he admitted killing his
family's guinea pig several years ago during a fit of rage. The man said he
deeply regretted throwing the animal against a wall in his home and called
the incident "the darkest moment of my life."

A panel of eight women and four men, some pet owners and some not, will
hear the case.