04/18/2026
Get • Volunteers say animal abuse and neglect continues on Skid Row .. and I saw it myself when we did this story. Dogs are being bred and sold...homeless are testing drugs on dogs... animals are injured and being denied medical care...one dog was found with her eyes and private barks glued shut. The list goes on and on...
My question has always been — why are we allowing an environment that resembles a third world country to exist on the streets of Downtown LA?
Animal advocates have been to countless city council meetings, begging for change...but say nothing is being done.
Skid Row is represented by Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. I reached out to her office MULTIPLE times and she never replied to me.
The press office for Karen Bass never replied to my request for an interview. They sent a statement instead.
From Mayor’s Press Office:
“More than 100 LAPD Operations-Central Bureau officers have received intensive training focused on animal cruelty. Since then, animals have been rescued, multiple citations and arrests have been made, and potential animal abuse or cruelty cases have been referred to the District Attorney and City Attorney.
“In addition to conducting follow-ups with roughly 100 dog owners to address complaints, LAPD and LA Animal Services have also partnered on support and prevention efforts, providing pet owners with food, leashes, and other essential supplies, and helping ensure access to veterinary care when necessary.”
This is the 2nd story I have done on Skid Row. The first was last June. I can tell you nothing looks different to me.
Thank God for volunteers and groups like Starts With One Today who are providing supplies and medical care to pets in need.
This is a HUGE MESS. Animals and people are suffering. I don’t know the solution, but I know WE CAN DO BETTER.
