REPORT CRUELTY, call the Animal Cruelty Task Force now (213) 486-0450 (24-hour notification hotline) or email at actf@lapd.lacity.org

In keeping with our mission to promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of animals and people in our city, the City of Los Angeles created the Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACTF) to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty cases.

Animal cruelty is one of the more destructive ills in society; often linked with sociopathic behavior, cruel and abusive behavior toward animals reflects a severe lack of moral responsibility and social conscience. It can be inflicted in a wide variety of ways and can be rooted in a variety of causes. In turn, this disturbing and malicious behavior gravely infects and poisons our social fabric. Animal cruelty is sometimes linked with other criminal behavior, such as gang activity, drugs, and violent anti-social behavior. Research has shown that people who behave cruelly toward animals are more likely to behave similarly toward humans.

The Animal Cruelty Task Force works on complaints from the public as well as other sources. The ACTF primarily investigates the more egregious animal cruelty violations in Los Angeles, such as beatings and poisonings, dog fighting, cockfighting, and other animal abuse violations. The ACTF processes cases beginning with the preliminary reporting phase all the way through to case filing, presentation, and prosecution. Those convicted of animal cruelty may face fines, imprisonment, or both.

Download the ACTF’s flyer and learn to help protect animals.