When the election is over, dont forget Skid Rows abused animals

For years, Los Angeles officials have allowed a humanitarian catastrophe to unfold on Skid Row.City leaders have also largely ignored another Skid Row nightmare: allegations of widespread animal abuse, trafficking, torture, and neglect occurring in plain sight.Last month, my non-profit law firm, Advancing Law for Animals, filed a formal federal complaint on behalf of the LA-based rescue group, Starts With One Today, urging the U.S.

Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Homeland Security to investigate what we believe are serious and ongoing violations of federal animal cruelty and even organized crime laws on Skid Row.The allegations are disturbing and, frankly, difficult to comprehend in a modern American city.According to our complaint, rescuers like my client, Joey Tuccio, and whistleblowers have documented dogs with their eyes and genitals glued shut, broken bones left untreated, mutilated paws, severe infections, and suspected drug overdoses.Witnesses have described illegal breeding operations, dog trafficking connected to animal fighting ventures, and exploitation tied to narcotics activity and organized criminal enterprises.These are not isolated incidents.

They reflect an entrenched environment of lawlessness that local officials in LA have failed to address despite repeated warnings from rescuers, advocates, journalists, and community members.Our complaint requests a federal investigation into potential violations of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, the Animal Welfare Act, federal animal fighting prohibitions, conspiracy statutes, the Travel Act, and potentially even the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). We’re demanding federal intervention on Skid Row because LA authorities don’t appear to have the ability or interest in enforcing the law to protect animals and the public.Fortunately, the Trump Administration has been initially responsive to our con...