MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA SIGNS ORDINANCE TO BAN
THE PURCHASE OF LIVE ANIMALS ON PUBLIC
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS IN LA! ORDINANCE
GOES INTO EFFECT 9/25/11!
In November of 2009, Last Chance for Animals' (LCA) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) began working on a joint task force with the LAPD and Voice for the Animals (VFTA), investigating the illegal sale of animals in the Santee Alley District of downtown Los Angeles. For years, the area has been plagued by vendors selling puppies, baby rabbits and turtles to the public on street corners.
LCA's SIU documented animals being sold by a sophisticated network that operate similar to narcotics dealers (lookouts, juveniles conducting sales, secret distribution, and evading arrest only to re-offend). The SIU identified the residences of these individuals and went undercover in an attempt to curtail their practices. In March of 2010, after a lengthy investigation, LCA's SIU then turned this information over to LAPD Commander Andrew Smith. Commander Smith later said "We did a follow up based on some info we received from LCA...it's great having that private/public partnership between LCA and the LAPD."
Watch LCA's Undercover Video
Although it is illegal to sell live animals on public streets and sidewalks in the City of Los Angeles it is still a major problem. To combat this, councilmembers Jan Perry and Tony Cardenas proposed an ordinance that would make it illegal for any person to purchase, offer to purchase, barter, or receive without cost, live animals on any street, sidewalk or other public place in the City of Los Angeles. The council voted to pass the ordinance on August 10, 2011. The Mayor then signed the ordinance and it will take effect on September 25, 2011. The Mayor's office is working in conjunction with members of Jan Perry's office to put signage around Santee Alley making the public aware that it is illegal to purchase live animals from the street corner vendors.
If you live in Los Angeles please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to email Mayor Villaraigosa and thank him for supporting the ordinance prohibiting the purchase of live animals on public streets and sidewalks.
