Council File: 04-1141
Title
ANIMAL CRIMES / DEDICATED UNIT
Subject
Motion - In Los Angeles today, police officers are asked to navigate a gamut of diverse cultures, languages and beliefs to serve the 3.8 million people that reside in our metropolis. Within this mosaic, however, is a large population in need of protection that is often overlooked; the city's animals. L.A. Animal Services houses and cares for lost and abandoned animals in its six shelters located throughout the City, enforces animal-related laws, and acts to prevent cruelty to animals. Currently, Animal Services law enforcement is limited to taking of animal cruelty complaints, animal traps, barking dog problems, dangerous and sick or injured animal.
It is believed that Los Angeles is the country's only large municipality that does not have a dedicated unit solely devoted to investigating some of the thousands of crimes that are reported each year against Los Angeles' animal population. Cases include the infiltration and destruction of dog fighting rings, the closing down of cockfighting facilities, and the arrests of perpetrators who are starving and abusing their animals.
THEREFORE MOVE that Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Animal Services report to the Public Safety Committee on resources necessary to dedicate a unit to investigate these crimes. This report should include information on whether there are grants available for such a program.
FURTHER MOVE that Los Angeles Police Department and Animal Services report on how these crimes are currently being handled without a dedicated unit.
Date Received / Introduced
06/15/2004
Last Changed Date
05/13/2005
Mover
TONY CARDENAS
Second
ALEX PADILLA
File History
6-15-04 - This day's Council session
6-15-04 - Ref to Public Safety Committee
6-15-04 - File to Public Safety Committee Clerk
2-23-05 - For ref - Communication from the Board of Police Commissioners BPC 05-0042, dated February 16, 2005, relative to the proposal for the Los Angeles Police Department, in partnership with the Department of Animal Services, to expand the City's law enforcement role in the investigation of animal abuse and "blood-sport" animal fighting.
2-24-05 - Ref to Public Safety Committee - to Committee Clerk
4-21-05 - For ref - Communication from the Department of Animal Services, dated April 20, 2005, relative to forming an Animal Cruelty Task Force in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department.
4-26-05 - Ref to Public Safety Committee - to Committee Clerk
5-4-05 - Council Action - CONTINUED TO May 11, 2005
5-11-05 - Council Action - Motion ADOPTED to APPROVE communication recommendation from Public Safety Committee to:
1. APPROVE the establishment of an Animal Cruelty Task Force to include, but not limited to, the Animal Services Department (ASD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), to expand of the City’s law enforcement role in the investigation of animal abuse and "blood-sport" animal fighting and to investigate the possibility of establishing an Animal Cruelty Unit within the City.
2. INSTRUCT the Task Force to accept assistance from any available public or private entity in these matters.
3. INSTRUCT the Animal Services Department (ASD) and the Los Angeles Police Department to report back in 6 months on the status of the Task Force.
5-13-05 - File to Public Safety Committee Clerk OK
5-13-05 - File in files
6-15-04 - Ref to Public Safety Committee
6-15-04 - File to Public Safety Committee Clerk
2-23-05 - For ref - Communication from the Board of Police Commissioners BPC 05-0042, dated February 16, 2005, relative to the proposal for the Los Angeles Police Department, in partnership with the Department of Animal Services, to expand the City's law enforcement role in the investigation of animal abuse and "blood-sport" animal fighting.
2-24-05 - Ref to Public Safety Committee - to Committee Clerk
4-21-05 - For ref - Communication from the Department of Animal Services, dated April 20, 2005, relative to forming an Animal Cruelty Task Force in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department.
4-26-05 - Ref to Public Safety Committee - to Committee Clerk
5-4-05 - Council Action - CONTINUED TO May 11, 2005
5-11-05 - Council Action - Motion ADOPTED to APPROVE communication recommendation from Public Safety Committee to:
1. APPROVE the establishment of an Animal Cruelty Task Force to include, but not limited to, the Animal Services Department (ASD) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), to expand of the City’s law enforcement role in the investigation of animal abuse and "blood-sport" animal fighting and to investigate the possibility of establishing an Animal Cruelty Unit within the City.
2. INSTRUCT the Task Force to accept assistance from any available public or private entity in these matters.
3. INSTRUCT the Animal Services Department (ASD) and the Los Angeles Police Department to report back in 6 months on the status of the Task Force.
5-13-05 - File to Public Safety Committee Clerk OK
5-13-05 - File in files
Online Documents (Doc)
| Title | Doc Date |
|---|
| Report from Los Angeles Animal Services | 04/20/2005 |
| Report from Los Angeles Police Department | 02/16/2005 |
| Complete Council File | 01/01/2004 |
Council Vote Information (2 Votes)
|
Council Vote Information (2 Votes) | |
| Meeting Date: | 05/11/2005 |
| Meeting Type: | Regular |
| Vote Action: | Adopted |
| Vote Given: | (11 - 0 - 4) |
| Member Name | CD | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| TONY CARDENAS | 6 | YES |
| ERIC GARCETTI | 13 | YES |
| WENDY GREUEL | 2 | YES |
| JANICE HAHN | 15 | YES |
| TOM LABONGE | 4 | YES |
| MARTIN LUDLOW | 10 | ABSENT |
| CINDY MISCIKOWSKI | 11 | YES |
| ALEX PADILLA | 7 | YES |
| BERNARD C PARKS | 8 | ABSENT |
| JAN PERRY | 9 | YES |
| ED REYES | 1 | YES |
| GREIG SMITH | 12 | YES |
| ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA | 14 | ABSENT |
| JACK WEISS | 5 | ABSENT |
| DENNIS ZINE | 3 | YES |