In addition to the ongoing homelessness crisis on Skid Row, animal advocates are raising concerns about the dire conditions faced by dogs living in the area.
According to local rescuers, many animals are being abused, neglected and even injected with drugs. They are often denied medical care and overbred for profit.
Victoria Parker, who has been helping dogs on Skid Row for eight years, co-founded the nonprofit Starts With One Today in 2020. The organization provides essential resources to both people and pets in the area.
Parker says the situation has worsened in recent years.
“We’ve seen pit bulls covered under tarps in the sun, dogs without access to food, water,” Parker told KTLA’s Kacey Montoya.
One particularly heartbreaking case involved a sick dog whose owner eventually allowed Parker to take her to a veterinarian. The dog was found to have a ruptured spleen, fluid in her abdomen and cancer. Sadly, the 8-year-old dog did not survive.
Victoria’s husband, Jonathan, also volunteers with the nonprofit. He emphasized that many pet owners on Skid Row lack the knowledge and resources to properly care for their animals.
“They don’t know how to treat dogs,” he said. “They don’t look for certain things a normal person would look for because this (environment) is not normal.”
While some dog owners appreciate the help, Parker says many refuse assistance.
“They just say, ‘Don’t bother. This is my dog. He’s fine. She’s fine,’” she explained. Some refuse to spay or neuter their pets because they rely on selling puppies for income.
Volunteers have seen pregnant dogs give birth on the streets without medical care, dogs tied up and tangled in ropes, and others crammed into tiny cages for days.
Some are left in the sun without shade, beaten and abused. There are also disturbing reports of drugs being tested on dogs before being used by their owners.
Despite repeated calls to police, animal control and the district attorney’s office, advocates say there has been little response, even after viral videos surface on social media.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office issued a statement affirming that animal cruelty is a serious crime and that law enforcement agencies are responsible for initial investigations. Cases must be submitted to the DA’s office for legal review before action can be taken.
In an effort to raise awareness, Starts With One Today is organizing a rally this Sunday at 11 a.m. outside the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Community Police Station.
