‘Enforce the Law!’ Full-Page LA Times Ad, Sidewalk Decals Blitz Blast Mayor Bass Over Skid Row Animal Abuse

For Immediate Release:
July 24, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

“Protect Animals. Enforce the law.” That’s the message PETA is sending to Mayor Karen Bass in a full-page appeal in Sunday’s Los Angeles Times, calling out her refusal to crack down on the many reports of animals being abused, neglected, bred, sold, and even killed on Skid Row—and pointing a finger at Governor Gavin Newsom for failing to intervene. On Monday, dozens of sidewalk decals bearing the same call-to-action will be strategically placed around Los Angeles, including City Hall and the mayor’s Getty House residence.

Faced with mounting pressure over reports of animals being beaten, starved, and illegally bred on Skid Row, Bass finally promised to intervene in November 2025. Yet months later, dogs on Skid Row are still suffering—including one mother dog who has allegedly been urinating blood for months because her owners refuse veterinary care and continue to breed her illegally. Police officers have reportedly told advocates doing outreach work on Skid Row that the Mayor’s office has instructed that certain laws—including spay/neuter requirements—not be applied to unhoused people, allowing the homeless animal crisis to worsen and leaving animals living in the area with no protection.

“While city officials evidently pick and choose where the law applies, sick and injured dogs are languishing and dying on Skid Row, reportedly trapped in cages and tied up while being forced to breed litter after litter,” says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. “PETA is calling on Mayor Bass to do her job and enforce the city’s mandatory spay/neuter ordinance, breeding moratorium, and animal protection laws—and get these suffering dogs the urgent help they need.”

PETA notes that Los Angeles has a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance, as well as a breeding moratorium that is triggered whenever area animal shelters exceed 75% capacity—which has been in effect continuously since its passage in 2024. PETA is encouraging Los Angeles residents to take action by calling for investigation and enforcement of cruelty to animals and illegal breeding on Skid Row.

Note: PETA supports animal rights, opposes all forms of animal exploitation, and educates the public on those issues. PETA does not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office or any political party.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.