Drug Abuse on Dogs in Skid Row

In a disturbing report, a nonprofit has revealed a troubling trend on Los Angeles’ Skid Row: individuals are reportedly experimenting with drugs on dogs as part of a shocking animal abuse campaign.

Joey Tuccio, a volunteer with an organization called Starts with One Today, shared, “Every day we hear about people trying to sell dogs in exchange for drugs, and sadly, we often find dogs dying on the streets.” He noted that these brutal acts include using dogs for drug testing, supposedly to check for the presence of harmful substances like fentanyl.

“We make it out here every Sunday, and it’s disheartening to see so many dogs that are trapped or suffering from neglect,” he added.

Recently rescued dogs have displayed severe physical ailments. For instance, Tuccio described a black dog that had lost a leg due to rotting flesh, requiring amputation. The organization frequently receives alerts about animals in dire conditions, including dogs showing signs of drug influence.

Jonathan Parker, the charity’s co-founder, expressed concern over the fate of puppies being sold on the streets and others left to perish. In a particularly alarming incident, rescuers found a dog injured in both eye and leg. The owner’s other dog was reportedly attempting to harm itself in a drugged state.

Tuccio and the team provide essential supplies to both people and animals in the area, expressing frustration over the lack of governmental support. “It’s just unbelievable. We’re here putting our lives on the line to assist these dogs without any backing,” Tuccio mentioned.

Back in November, Mayor Karen Bass pledged to investigate allegations of animal abuse in Skid Row, but the organization believes more action is required.

“Absolutely nothing has changed,” Tuccio responded when asked if the initiative had any real impact. “We frequently call the police and animal protection agencies; they witness dogs being kept in terrible conditions yet do little to address the issue.”

Parker echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s frustrating, but we feel compelled to act, as no one else seems to be.” Despite the challenges they face, the group is determined to continue their rescue efforts.

While Bass’ office reported that over a hundred officers have received training to handle animal abuse cases—resulting in rescues and citations—the advocates on the ground remain skeptical about the true effectiveness of these measures.