US News Metro Long Island Politics

Sports NFL MLB Olympics NBA NHL College Football College Basketball WNBA

Entertainment TV Movies Music Celebrities Awards Theater

Lifestyle Weird But True Sex & Relationships Viral Trends Human Interest Parenting Fashion & Beauty Food & Drink Travel

Health Wellness Fitness Health Care Medicine Men’s Health Women’s Health Mental Health Nutrition

Science Space Environment Wildlife Archaeology

Today’s Paper Covers Columnists Horoscopes Crosswords & Games Sports Odds Podcasts Careers

Email Newsletters Official Store Home Delivery Tips

Switch between CA and NY editions here.

There’s no excuse for animal abuse — and LA has the power to stop it

See more of our coverage in your search results.

After 16 years of serving the animals of the city and county of LA, I can say without hesitation that what is happening to animals in our city is heartbreaking, gut-wrenching — and entirely preventable.

LA is one of the largest cities in the world and California has the fourth-largest economy on Earth. Yet when it comes to protecting dogs, LA leaders, residents, shelters, and elected leaders are failing them daily.

This is not a resource problem. It is a leadership problem.

And in LA city shelters, that starts with Karen Bass and the City Council. Mayor Bass has the power to appoint or remove the general manager of LA Animal Services.

Blame also rests with local nonprofits that have a financial incentive not to fix the problem.

Until we have the courage to tell the truth about what is really going on, the mass killing in “no kill” LA will continue.

People often ask why so many healthy, adoptable dogs are being killed in LA shelters.

It begins with failed leadership. It also stems from a powerful false “no kill” narrative.

The public has been led to believe that taking a dog to a shelter is a safe option because they have been told those shelters are “no kill.”

They deserve to know the truth. Animals are still killed every day.

This goes on, thanks to the lack of affordable and accessible........

© New York Post