The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the successful federal prosecution of individuals committing severe animal abuse in Los Angeles.
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The New York Posts reports that officials are asking eagle-eyed Angelenos to report abuse to a tip line to help root out violators of 2019’s Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which targets extreme acts of animal abuse.
$5,000 reward offered and new FBI tip line launched to catch Los Angeles-area animal abusers https://t.co/z8FhJ19m7J
— US Attorney L.A. (@USAO_LosAngeles) August 11, 2026
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the joint initiative directly targets a grim surge of animal cruelty, exploitation, and illicit “animal crushing” videos originating from the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles.
LA Mag reports that offenders will be aggressively prosecuted under the federal PACT Act, which carries a penalty of up to seven years in federal prison.
Advocates say abusers there have done horrific things to animals, like testing their drugs on them to make sure they’re not laced with fentanyl.
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In an interview with KTLA, Joey Tuccio, a volunteer with Starts With One Today, said, “Every day we get another call, saying people are trying to sell their dog for drugs, and this dog is dying on the streets.”
Federal authorities are emphasizing that they need concrete proof that can hold up before a judge and jury, rather than general complaints.
Successful tips will include visuals including video or photographs of the abuse or perpetrators, detailed information about time, date and place, and names or physical descriptions of the individuals committing the abuse, according to KTLA.
Advancing Law for Animals lawyer Vanessa Shakib told the California Post, “I applaud federal law enforcement for taking action following our meeting and launching a new animal abuse tip line. Because local authorities are asleep at the wheel on animal abuse documented on Skid Row, we need stronger, more decisive action at the federal level.”
The tip line was launched as LA has been killing more shelter animals than ever, spending money to euthanize instead of enforcing preventative measures.
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