Mayor Bass Announces New Initiative on Animal Welfare

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LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass announced a new initiative to investigate allegations of animal cruelty in Skid Row. The initiative is a joint effort between LAPD and Los Angeles Animal Services aimed at enhancing animal welfare through specialized investigators, multiplying the resources available to address concerns about animal welfare, while offering basic support to pet owners where needed. The pilot will launch in Skid Row, where requests for animal welfare checks are higher than other areas of the city, and will have the potential to expand citywide.

"I launched this new initiative to keep pets with their owners whenever possible while holding those who commit crimes of animal cruelty and neglect accountable," said Mayor Bass. "This collaborative approach will use more than 50 specially trained LAPD officers, working with Animal Services staff to support animal welfare by bringing dedicated personnel, strategic investigation practices, a uniform approach to accountability and immediate relief whenever possible."

This collaborative approach involves LAPD and Animal Services officers working to promote animal welfare by training LAPD officers assigned to Skid Row on recognizing animal cruelty and evidence collection, while equipping them with referrals for resources if no cruelty is found. This change reflects the LAPD's commitment to enhancing animal welfare by transferring investigative responsibility from Area Property Crime Detectives to specially designated and trained investigators. This initiative strengthens animal welfare by ensuring coordinated investigations, shared accountability, timely response and prompt relief whenever possible.

Components of the new initiative on animal welfare include:

• Dedicated Personnel:Specifically selected LAPD Operations-Central Bureau Officers and investigators will receive intensive animal cruelty-focused training and be assigned to work directly with a dedicated Animal Control Officer. Investigations will be supported by Central GIT, a LAPD specialized unit with extensive experience in coordinating comparable initiatives.

• Strategic Investigation: A variety of investigative methods, such as electronic and physical surveillance and the execution of search warrants, will be utilized to ensure the efficient and thorough collection of evidence.

• Uniform Enforcement: LAPD and Animal Services will establish a consistent, unified approach to investigating potential animal cruelty and neglect across Skid Row, the pilot area.

• Accountability: LAPD and Animal Services personnel will escalate incidents to the City Attorney and District Attorney for prosecution.

• Immediate Relief: Alongside enforcement efforts, trained officers will partner with local organizations to identify and act on opportunities to provide immediate relief, expanding current efforts by LAPD and Animal Services to proactively support pet owners in need by offering essentials like food, leashes, bowls, and beds.

Angelenos can report crimes against animals to Crimestoppers, either online at https://www.lacrimestoppers.org/or using their tip line 800-222-TIPS. If people witness a crime against an animal in progress, they should call 911.