Santee Alley Eyewitness Accounts Via E-mail

YES! This is still going on...and on...and on.

L.A., you should be ashamed of yourself.

Before you read the e-mails below, please take note of the following information: 

Jim Bickhart of the Mayor's office has responded to inquiries with the fact that the law regarding the illegal selling of animals needs teeth. The present law - LA Municipal Law 53.42 regarding Public safety and selling animals off the street - is no more than a slap on the wrist. 

If you'd like to take action to help stop this illegal selling of animals, contact: jim.bickhart@lacity.org and let it be known that you've lost your patience with the city's inaction against these animal traders.  Tell him no more "slaps on the wrists" for these criminals who deal in animal cruelty and death.  Tell him you want a full set of "teeth" and you want it now.  Ask how you and his office can help create a groundswell for a stronger ordinance as it is a public safety issue as well as a humane issue.  The city council will listen if enough noise is made.

And while you're at it, you can also contact Wildlife Officer Greg Randall, a really good guy and on the same plate with us.   E-mail him at: GRandall@ANI.LACITY.ORG  and ask him how you can help.

Write your Los Angeles City Council representative and demand action.  That information can be found at: http://www.lacity.org/council.htm

And, of course, annoy our mayor, who seems to be paying more attention to his personal life than to issues related to our city.  Tell him to remember his promises:

Antonio Villaraigosa: mayor@lacity.org
200 North Spring Street, Room 303, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - (Phone) 213/978-0600  - (Fax) 213/978-0750

The more attention you bring to this issue, the more attention this issue will get.  And continue sending me your e-mails as I will post them on this page, with your consent.  I am hoping this will embarrass this city into action.

The following two e-mails were sent to Metro Pet Tracker by someone who was told of the illegal animal trade in Santee Alley and subsequently became an irate independent eyewitness:

               1st received e-mail from Ms. Carnochan:

----- Original Message -----

From: "kimberly carnochan"

To: <thetracker@metropettracker.com>

Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 3:35 PM

Subject: Santee Alley and baby Rabbits

I just found your website by chance...I was at North Central animal shelter last night (scouting dogs and cats, kittens, and puppies).  I got into a conversation with one of the ACT's...ends up she tells me about a rabbit she is fostering that is a baby.  It was one from Santee Alley that was going to be euth. and she took him.  I said "Santee Alley" they sell clothes.  Oh no they SELL everything.

I work in a showroom at 9th and Los Angeles and I decided to take a field trip today---to Santee Alley.  Well after walking down and around I found them.  First, a hispanic woman who couldn't speak English but knew to tell me the bunnies were $20.00.  I told her these babies are too young to be out here and away from their mothers etc.   "I no speak English"...yeah whatever.  I went up 12th to Santee (she was at 12th and Maple) and there is her partner---gold capped teeth and all.  Of course he speaks no English so a guy (not with him) was helping me translate.  I told him the same thing....I  had a crowd gathering because I was soooo angry!!!  These babies didn't even have water...it was in a jug in his cart.  I told him the rabbits have to raise their paws to ask for water....???!!!  What the hell??!!!  His bunnies were even smaller than hers.  I wanted to buy all 4 of them to save them....but they will be back with 4 different bunnies tomorrow!

I called LAAS and spoke to an officer-yes they are aware of this but not enough officers to go there all of the time.  They do do undercover operations....blah, blah, blah.
Why can't they be arrested for no business licensce etc.?
 
What should I do?  How can I help stop this outrage??!!!!

Thank you for this great website!!!
 
Kim Carnochan

2nd received e-mail from Ms. Carnochan:

----- Original Message -----

From: "kimberly carnochan"

To: <thetracker@metropettracker.com>

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 7:07 PM

Subject: Re: Santee Alley

Hi Madeline,
Thank you so much for getting back to me.

Wow what an eye opener for me. 

I actually went back there after work on Friday and found this young kid selling baby bunnies and turtles and started talking to him.  He spoke English and basically what it comes down to is like trying to find a drug dealer-the big kahuna.  The little street urchins acutally selling are just like contract employees.  There is a network of guys who supply these animals to these sellers and pay them hourly (not even based on the number of animals they sell) and at the end of the day these guys come and collect the leftovers and take them wherever they take them and the whole process starts over the next day.

I went down again on Saturday just to stand and watch some of the activity.  I even saw the "Safety Patrol" guys walk right on buy on of the vendors as she swung the bunny around her body so they couldn't see it...but they weren't paying attention to her anyway even though they walked right by her.

Unreal....

George-the kid I met- told me there is a guy that has a pet store on 4th and Los Angeles who he used to work for who also sold these animals...but he stopped working for him.

So basically go after the little street vendors is only one part-who really needs to be arrested are the animal dealers.

What a tragic, sick cycle and most of these animals die because people have no idea (who are buying them on the street) how to take care of them....  I just wanted to round up all the animals and take them home...but of course they will just be replaced the following day with more.

I will try to get some help from LAAS but since they are so overworked, understaffed and their whole system sucks because of an inept GM....gee it is really hard to make any headway.

Yes you can post my email-no problem.  I have nothing to hide-this is REALITY!!  I encourage everyone to read it and take action.  Wouldn't that
be nice.

I feel like I am going to have to go "undercover" to see if I can watch some of the suppliers.  Too dangerous to say anything but I am going to see what I can uncover...

Thank you so much for the words of wisdom...now I just need to put into action.
 
Kim   :)