Concerns over the treatment of animals living on Los Angeles’ Skid Row are drawing renewed attention as animal advocates push for stronger enforcement and more resources for pets living alongside their unhoused owners.
Joey Tuccio, a volunteer with Starts With One Today, said his group works in the area each week to provide assistance to both people and animals. During a recent visit, he described seeing dogs suffering from serious injuries, inadequate care and other dangerous conditions.
Tuccio said volunteers have encountered animals that appeared severely malnourished or injured. He also described cases in which dogs were taken for veterinary treatment after being found in distress.
One dog, Valor, was taken to a veterinarian after Compton Paw Patrol became involved, Tuccio said. The dog subsequently tested positive for multiple drugs. He also recalled the case of Cleo, a dog who had previously appeared healthy but was later found collapsed on the street.
The concerns have increasingly become part of the political conversation in Los Angeles.
Former mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt made animal welfare on Skid Row a prominent issue during his campaign, drawing attention to allegations involving animal neglect and the use of dogs in connection with drugs. Some of the more extreme claims surrounding animals on Skid Row have been disputed or have lacked publicly verified evidence, making the distinction between documented cases and allegations particularly important.
Animal advocates, however, say the broader problem of neglect is real and requires more consistent enforcement. Reports from the area have included concerns about illegal breeding, inadequate veterinary care and animals being kept in unsafe conditions.
The city has already taken steps to increase its response.
In November 2025, Mayor Karen Bass announced a pilot partnership between the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Animal Services focused on investigating allegations of animal cruelty on Skid Row. The program included specialized training for officers and coordination with Animal Services when potential cruelty or neglect was reported.
That effort has since expanded.
On August 12, Bass announced that the LAPD and LA Animal Services partnership would become permanent. More than 100 officers had received intensive animal-cruelty investigation training as part of the earlier program, according to the mayor’s office.
The city also announced plans for monthly animal-care clinics on Skid Row. The clinics are intended to provide services including spay and neuter procedures, vaccinations and microchipping, while nonprofit groups continue working with pet owners in the area.
The new approach combines enforcement with assistance for people who are trying to care for their animals. City officials say the goal is to investigate abuse while also providing resources that can help responsible owners keep their pets healthy and safe.
For animal advocates working on Skid Row, the changes represent a move toward more consistent attention to a problem they say has been visible for years.
The challenge now is whether the expanded enforcement and regular veterinary services will translate into better conditions for animals living on the streets.
