Los Angeles City Council member and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman is facing increasing criticism from animal advocates who allege she has overlooked a severe animal welfare crisis in the Skid Row area. Activists contend that Raman, despite her background as a homeless advocate and her current role chairing the City Hall’s Homelessness and Housing Committee, has not taken sufficient action or publicly addressed the issue.
Joey Tuccio, an animal rescuer with the nonprofit It Starts With One Today, stated that his team has rescued over 100 animals from Skid Row in the past three years, estimating this number to be conservative. He described horrific conditions some animals have endured, including intentional leg fractures, eyes and genitals glued shut, rape, beatings, and starvation. Tuccio also reported instances of animals suffering from drug overdoses.
Tuccio said that animal activists have focused their attention on Raman because of her mayoral campaign and her previous work on homelessness. "Raman hasn’t taken action or spoken up for the animals during her time in City Hall," Tuccio told The California Post. He contrasted Raman's perceived inaction with that of her primary opponent, Spencer Pratt, who he noted was more vocal about Skid Row animal abuse.
Online platforms, including Raman's Instagram and Twitter accounts, have been inundated with comments from animal welfare supporters demanding action. One commenter wrote, "Us volunteers in animal welfare are sick of paying the bills and cleaning up the mess…." This backlash intensified as Raman's campaign gained prominence.
In April, Raman posted a video detailing a visit to an animal shelter, where she pledged to increase funding for spay and neuter programs. However, Tuccio believes this effort is insufficient, arguing that it does not address the widespread abuse of animals within the homeless community.
Tuccio has called for Raman to publicly acknowledge what he describes as the true extent of the problem and to fund specialized teams. These teams, he suggests, should have the authority to enforce animal cruelty laws, rescue abused animals, provide veterinary care, and facilitate rehabilitation and adoption.
He cited specific cases, such as a dog named Giuliana, found tied to a dumpster without food or water, suffering from cancerous masses and infested with flies. Tuccio also mentioned reports of pug inbreeding at a so-called breeding center on Skid Row, where he claims dogs slowly starved to death while city officials and law enforcement were aware.
Tuccio urged Raman and Mayor Karen Bass to distinguish between homeless individuals facing hardship and capable of caring for their pets, and those with severe drug addictions who may have malicious intentions toward animals. He suggested Raman adopt a more direct approach, stating, "She’s being way too political. She’s being way too soft-handed with her approach."