ALA Demands Federal Government Immediately Investigate Criminal Animal Abuse on Skid Row

LOS ANGELES (May 6, 2026) On behalf of human and animal welfare organization Starts With One Today, non-profit Advancing Law for Animals filed a complaint with the federal government today demanding that immediate action be taken to investigate criminal animal abuse and other potential violations of federal law taking place in Central City East, Los Angeles, commonly known as Skid Row.

Despite widespread public outcry and several investigative reports from local Los Angeles news stations that have documented the abuse on camera, current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and local law enforcement officials have failed to take meaningful action to stop illegal sidewalk breeding, extreme animal cruelty, and ongoing neglect, including the use of fentanyl on dogs and cats and animal mutilation.

"My client and others have witnessed abused dogs with their eyes glued shut, broken bones, and mutilated paws,” explained Vanessa Shakib, co-director and co-founder of Advancing Law for Animals. “According to sources, puppies bred on Skid Row are servicing a dog trafficking pipeline to underground animal fighting in Las Vegas, feeding the public’s craze for purebred dogs, or substituting for cash in drug deals. These activities potentially violate federal law: this is why we’re demanding an immediate investigation by the federal government.”

Joey Tuccio of Starts With One Today stated: "For years we have been battling an ongoing animal crisis with no light at the end of the tunnel. For years we have pleaded with the City of Los Angeles to take this crisis seriously. Instead of helping abused, raped and neglected animals, city officials would rather keep supporting criminals. We need federal help now."

ALA’s complaint demands Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin investigate potential violations of federal animal cruelty and animal welfare statutes that prohibit serious bodily injury, reckless breeding, and animal fighting, as well as investigate allegations dogs are trafficked across state lines for animal fighting, which may feed into a pattern of organized criminal activity.

According to the Department of Justice, as alleged in the complaint, dogfighting is almost inseparable from drugs, illegal weapons, and illegal gambling.

UPDATE

As reported by the California Post, following ALA's complaint to the federal government demanding a crackdown on Skid Row dog abuse, the FBI launched a new Los Angeles animal abuse tip line.

As ALA co-founder and co-director Vanessa Shakib told the California Post, “Los Angeles officials have failed the animals bred, trafficked, and abused on Skid Row. I applaud federal law enforcement for taking action following our meeting and launching a new animal abuse tip line. Because local authorities are asleep at the wheel on animal abuse documented on Skid Row, we need stronger, more decisive action at the federal level.”