Los Angeles launches FBI tip line to combat animal cruelty on Skid Row

Los Angeles officials are urging residents to email the FBI with any evidence of animal cruelty, focusing on the Skid Row area where advocates report disturbing abuse, such as drug-induced harm to dogs and attempts to sell pets for narcotics. The tip line supports enforcement of the 2019 Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which also bans “animal crushing” pornography. The Department of Justice advises that submissions include photographs, videos, dates, times, locations, and descriptions of suspects.

The Animal Abuse Task Force will review all tips within the Central District of California, covering Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Critics argue that local authorities have been ineffective, prompting reliance on federal action. The initiative comes amid rising shelter euthanasia numbers, with 2,172 cats, kittens and dogs killed through May of this year, a 33% increase from the previous year.