Advancing Law for Animals

Check out @VanessaShakib on @CNN describing our legal theory in Cedar's case

Thanks @FOXLA for covering @Adv_Law_Animals federal complaint on behalf of @SWOTNonprofit @joey_tuccio about LA Skid Row animal abuse, illegal puppy breeding, and the dog fighting pipeline 🐶🐾

Our @Adv_Law_Animals federal complaint with @joey_tuccio @SWOTNonprofit demanding that the feds step in to stop LA Skid Row animal abuse is making waves nationwide! Thanks @Julio_Rosas11 for asking @GovRonDeSantis about it and @AGGancarski for the coverage!

UPDATE! As the @ladailynews and others are reporting, last week @Adv_Law_Animals and @SWOTNonprofit @joey_tuccio had a productive and collaborative first meeting with representatives from various branches of the DOJ, and are continuing the conversation. Stay tuned!

Widespread animal abuse alleged in LA’s Skid Row dailynews.com/2026/05/10/wid…

Thank you @FOXLA for covering @Adv_Law_Animals federal complaint demanding a crackdown on Skid Row dog abuse! @joey_tuccio @SWOTNonprofit

More coverage of our federal complaint about LA Skid Row dog abuse from @DailyMail @AlyssaGuzman30: “The shocking footage emerged as @joey_tuccio’s organization, @SWOTNonprofit, and @Adv_Law_Animals filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday, demanding the US government investigate animal abuse on LA's famous Skid Row. LA County and San Bernardino County border each other.   It is unclear if Spark and Bryce were found on Skid Row.   The organizations accuse @MayorOfLA Karen Bass and local law enforcement of refusing to take meaningful action to stop illegal sidewalk breeding, animal cruelty, and neglect.  'Instead of helping abused, raped, and neglected animals, city officials would rather keep supporting criminals. We need federal help now,' Tuccio said in a statement.  The complaint called upon US Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche, @FBIDirectorKash, @SecMullinDHS, and Agriculture @SecRollins to investigate.  The groups say animals have had their 'eyes and genitals glued together,' as well as having bones broken, paws mutilated, and being overdosed on drugs, according to the complaint viewed by the Daily Mail. It also alleged that dogs, especially pit bulls, are being bred on Skid Row to be sold in dog trafficking rings for animal fighting in Las Vegas.”

A Los Angeles nonprofit is demanding a federal investigation into alleged animal abuse, trafficking and neglect involving dogs on Skid Row, claiming city officials failed to act. More from @MicheleMcPhee 👇 lamag.com/animals/non-pr…

Local animal rights advocates have filed a federal complaint asking for the feds to investigate animal cruelty on Skid Row. audacy.com/knxnews/news/l…

We will never ever stop fighting for these dogs that have been suffering for years in pained silence

Horrible and heartbreaking. In recent years, I represented the family of a 9-year-old girl whose pet goat, Cedar, was seized by rogue deputies and slaughtered after the girl refused to sell Cedar at a 4H auction. @Adv_Law_Animals

Thank you @michelemcphee @LAmag for covering our federal complaint on Skid Row dog abuse. “My client and others have witnessed abused dogs with their eyes glued shut, broken bones, and mutilated paws. According to sources, puppies bred on Skid Row are servicing a dog trafficking pipeline to underground animal fighting in Las Vegas, feeding the public’s craze for purebred dogs, or substituting for cash in drug deals. These activities potentially violate federal law: this is why we’re demanding an immediate investigation by the federal government.” @joey_tuccio @SWOTNonprofit @Adv_Law_Animals

Read @Adv_Law_Animals full federal complaint: dropbox.com/scl/fi/xh7snof…

🚨 We just filed a federal complaint on behalf of @joey_tuccio @SWOTNonprofit demanding a federal crackdown on skid row animal abuse in LA. @Adv_Law_Animals sent a complaint to the @TheJusticeDept , @FBI, @USDA, and @DHSgov today demanding an immediate investigation of criminal animal abuse and other potential violations of federal law. Despite widespread public outcry and several investigative reports from local Los Angeles news stations that have documented the abuse on camera, current @MayorOfLA Karen Bass and local law enforcement officials have failed to take meaningful action to stop illegal sidewalk breeding, extreme animal cruelty, and ongoing neglect. “My client and others have witnessed abused dogs with their eyes glued shut, broken bones, and mutilated paws,” explained Vanessa Shakib, co-director and co-founder of Advancing Law for Animals. “According to sources, puppies bred on Skid Row are servicing a dog trafficking pipeline to underground animal fighting in Las Vegas, feeding the public’s craze for purebred dogs, or substituting for cash in drug deals. These activities potentially violate federal law: this is why we’re demanding an immediate investigation by the federal government.” Joey Tuccio of Starts With One Today stated: “For years we have been battling an ongoing animal crisis with no light at the end of the tunnel. For years we have pleaded with the City of Los Angeles to take this crisis seriously. Instead of helping abused, raped and neglected animals, city officials would rather keep supporting criminals. We need federal help now.” ALA’s complaint demands Acting Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche of the U.S. Department of Justice, @FBIDirectorKash, Agriculture @SecRollins, and Homeland Security @SecMullinDHS investigate potential violations of federal animal cruelty and animal welfare statutes that prohibit serious bodily injury, reckless breeding, and animal fighting, as well as investigate allegations dogs are trafficked across state lines for animal fighting, which may feed into a pattern of organized criminal activity. According to the Department of Justice, as alleged in the complaint, dogfighting is almost inseparable from drugs, illegal weapons, and illegal gambling.

A county fair wrongfully sold & slaughtered the pet goat of a little girl who didn't want the goat to die. Now they're paying a $300K settlement. Great work to @Adv_Law_Animals - attorneys who sought justice for Cedar the goat & his family. nytimes.com/2024/11/03/us/…

Shasta County will pay $300K to settle slaughter of girl’s pet goat seized by sheriff’s deputies sacbee.com/news/local/art…

Following this $300,000 settlement with the County of Shasta and Shasta County Sheriff's Office, we continue to litigate against remaining defendants, the California fair entity and related employees, and 4-H volunteer. nytimes.com/2024/11/03/us/….

A California county’s sheriff’s office agreed to pay $300,000 after it seized a 9-year-old girl’s pet goat, which was later slaughtered, according to court documents made public Friday. nyti.ms/4fs8lGO

@nytimes Thank you for your interest in our case on behalf of Cedar and the Long family #AnimalsNeedLawyers

Before Peanut the squirrel there was Cedar the goat in California @Adv_Law_Animals @VanessaShakib

Little girl scores incredible victory after her pet goat was butchered and barbecued by California county trib.al/J8eTIAP