LOS ANGELES , CA — Animal-welfare advocates applauded the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing 25 separate animal cruelty cases, a decisive action in response to a disturbing string of abuse incidents reported throughout the county.
Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, issued the following statement:
“We commend District Attorney Nathan Hochman and his team for taking a firm stand against animal cruelty in Los Angeles County,” said Pacelle. “These prosecutions make it clear that the mistreatment and neglect of animals will not be tolerated and will be met with serious consequences.”
Pacelle, who is spearheading the national campaign to pass the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act in Congress, emphasized the broader implications of these charges.
“When law enforcement prioritizes animal cruelty cases, it not only safeguards animals but also helps to root out other criminal conduct often tied to these offenses,” added Pacelle. “There’s a growing recognition that violence against animals is intertwined with broader threats to public safety, and taking action against it is a key component of building safer communities.”
The FIGHT Act, S. 1454, led by Sens. John Kennedy, R-La., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., is backed by more than 800 agencies and organizations, including the National Sheriffs’ Association, the National District Attorneys Association, the United Egg Producers, and the American Gaming Association.
Animal Wellness Action continues to support law enforcement agencies nationwide in upholding laws that protect animals from cruelty and urges more jurisdictions to follow Los Angeles County’s lead.A fact sheet on the FIGHT Act is available here.