Animal Shelter Expansion Weighed to Fix Conditions

LOS ANGELES —  Taking steps to fix “deplorable” conditions in the South-Central Los Angeles animal shelter, the City Council on Tuesday agreed to consider expanding the facility and its staff.

“If it were not for the serious crisis that engulfs the city regarding Rampart, I dare say the conditions of the animal shelters throughout our city would occupy center stage of the life of this body and the city at large,” said Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who called on the council to act.

Although there are only 54 kennels at the shelter, a staggering 1,185 dogs were impounded in February. About 10 serious dog fights occur each day. In February, six dogs were killed by their kennel mates, and another eight were injured.

The council’s Budget and Finance and Public Safety committees will take up the issue next week, and will report back to the full council April 7 on how much funding is needed to help fix the woes at the facility, where some 80 animals are euthanized each day. In a related motion, Councilman Nate Holden urged the council to establish a neighborhood “Storefront Operation Program” to assist low-income residents with health care for their pets.