LOS ANGELES – As outrage grows over proposed budget cuts to the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, Councilmembers Traci Park and John Lee have formally called on the city’s Budget and Finance Committee to reject the plan, warning it would have devastating consequences for both animals and the communities that rely on local shelters.
In a joint letter sent this week, Park, who represents the 11th District on the Westside, and Lee, who represents the 12th District in the North Valley, expressed “deep concern” about the mayor’s proposed budget, which would result in the closure of three regional animal shelters – West Los Angeles, West Valley, and Harbor – and cuts to shelter staff.
“These closures would severely impair the city’s ability to provide humane and essential care to animals and would disproportionately affect communities already underserved by city services,” the letter stated. “The services these shelters provide are not optional, they are essential to the humane functioning of our city.”…