Mayor Bass Makes LAAS-LAPD Animal Cruelty Partnership Permanent

Monthly Spay, Neuter and Vaccination Clinics Coming to Skid Row

LOS ANGELES — Mayor Karen Bass announced a permanent partnership between LA Animal Services and the Los Angeles Police Department to investigate animal cruelty, illegal breeding and unlawful animal sales on Skid Row and in surrounding areas. The initiative will also provide support to responsible pet owners.

The partnership formalizes a pilot program launched in November 2025. Since then, more than 100 LAPD officers have received specialized training in animal cruelty investigations.

The program has resulted in dozens of animal rescues, multiple citations and arrests, and the referral of potential criminal cases to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Under the permanent partnership, specially trained LAPD officers and investigators will work directly with a dedicated Animal Control Officer. Investigations may include surveillance, evidence collection and search warrants, with both agencies following a coordinated enforcement approach.

The city will also work with animal welfare organizations to hold monthly clinics on Skid Row offering spay and neuter procedures, vaccinations, microchipping and other basic veterinary services. Officers and community partners will distribute pet food, leashes, bowls, beds and other essential supplies to owners in need.

Mayor Bass said the initiative is intended to hold animal abusers accountable while helping responsible owners care for their pets. The city has already provided food and supplies to more than 200 pet owners and connected them with veterinary and spay-neuter resources.

In June, LAPD officers arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged illegal sale of animals in Santee Alley, located in downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District just south of Skid Row.