In keeping with our mission to promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of animals and people in our city, the City of Los Angeles created the Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACTF) to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty cases. 

Animal cruelty is one of the more destructive ills in society; often linked with sociopathic behavior, cruel and abusive behavior toward animals reflects a severe lack of moral responsibility and social conscience.  It can be inflicted in a wide variety of ways and can be rooted in a variety of causes. In turn, this disturbing and malicious behavior gravely infects and poisons our social fabric.  Animal cruelty is sometimes linked with other criminal behavior such as gang activity, drugs, and violent anti-social behavior. Research has shown that people who behave cruelly toward animals are more likely to behave similarly toward humans.

The ACTF consists of Animal Control Officers, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers, and the City Attorney’s Office.  Based on complaints from the public as well as other sources, the ACTF primarily investigates the more egregious animal cruelty violations in the City of Los Angeles, such as beatings and poisonings, dog fighting, cockfighting, and other animal abuse violations.  The ACTF processes cases beginning with the preliminary reporting phase all the way through to case filing, presentation, and prosecution. Those convicted of animal cruelty may face fines, imprisonment, or both.

How to Report Animal Cruelty:

If you observe or suspect the mistreatment of an animal, please contact your nearest Los Angeles Animal Care Center; Animal Care Centers take phone calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Reports may also be made to:
 
Animal Cruelty Task Force:      (213) 847-1417
LA Animal Services(LAAS):       (888) 452-7381

LAAS staff will investigate complaints observed in the City of Los Angeles.  If the suspected mistreatment is observed to occur outside our jurisdiction, we may refer your complaint to one of several animal care and control agencies in the area.

When a report of animal cruelty is made, an Animal Control Officer will investigate the case. If it is determined that inhumane treatment is occurring, the animal may be removed from the situation and placed in protective care until a decision has been made.

About the Animal Cruelty Task Force:

The Council-created ACTF consists of five LAAS Animal Control Officers and two LAPD Detectives, and prosecutes animal cruelty cases with the help of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. 

The ACTF sees animal cruelty cases as serious crimes, and prosecutes these cases accordingly. 

For example, in 2006 alone, its first full calendar year in operation, the Task Force investigated 290 requests, presented 54 crime reports to the District Attorney or the City Attorney’s office for review, served seven search warrants, made 51 arrests for animal cruelty or neglect, including 15 felony arrests, among many other significant accomplishments (see the inaugural newsletter below for additional information).

News and Press:
June 13, 2007
About The Animal Cruelty Task force Presentation from LAPD. Read More

February 22, 2007
Cat hoarder busted for cruelty. Read more

January 30, 2007
54-year old Los Angeles man arrested for animal cruelty; search warrant uncovers poisons firearms in residence. Read more

January 2007 Inaugural Newsletter
“Angel” survives life-threatening injuries; first year accomplishments include 9 felony convictions. Read more

November 2, 2005
ACTF announces first felony conviction; suspect sentenced to three years in prison for animal abuse. Read more

Related Links:

LAPD’s Planning and Research Division: Additional information about the ACTF, as well as a downloadable flyer.

Animal tethering: Related information from LAAS.

The Humane Society: Information such as laws and legislation, press releases, etc.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles (spcaLA): Serving Southern California since 1877; news, programs and services, FAQs, resources, etc.

Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA): Provides animal services to the cities of Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Downey, Lakewood, Montebello, Norwalk, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, South Gate and Vernon.

ASPCA: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Provides extensive information, press releases, discussion boards, programs, pet care tips, etc.

Pet-Abuse.com: Nation-wide news and information, cases, tips to prevent abuse, etc.