ANIMAL PROTECTION UNIT

The Office of the City Attorney Animal Protection Unit is a specialized vertical prosecution unit that oversees the prosecution of all animal abuse and neglect cases throughout Los Angeles. The Animal Protection Unit works closely with law enforcement, as well as the City's Department of Animal Services, the Humane Society of the United States, the SPCALA and other local and national humane organizations.

The Animal Protection Unit also works actively to identify opportunities to draft new legislation that will provide even greater protection for animals. The Office of the City Attorney was instrumental in passing animal legislation that is among the toughest in the nation, providing mandatory jail, counseling and fines of over $40,000 for each offense. Consistent with these laws, the Animal Protection Unit has developed a uniform and consistent policy to enforce these laws that includes specialized counseling and conditions of probation prohibiting convicted animal abusers from having any contact with animals.

The Office of the City Attorney works in partnership with the City's Animal Services Department to identify and develop solutions to animal-related problems specific to individual neighborhoods. Issues ranging from feral cats to ongoing cases of neglect and abuse are dealt with in coordination with the efforts of other City, County and State agencies as well as local and national humane associations.

Animal Protection Unit City Attorneys provide a number of educational programs designed to prevent animal abuse and neglect, and promote responsible, compassionate care and treatment of animals. The Animal Protection Unit, together with the Department of Animal Services, is developing a series of innovative programs to promote spaying and neutering, dog and cat adoptions, and responsible and compassionate care for companion animals throughout the City of Los Angeles. Recognizing that the long term solution to animal abuse and violence lies in educating our youth, Animal Protection Unit attorneys also partner with the Los Angeles Unified School District to teach children compassion and respect for animals. Through education and information, we can effectively prevent future violence against both animals and people, ultimately bringing about a noticeable improvement in the quality of life for residents of Los Angeles.