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35 Miniature Rabbits, 79 Turtles, 1 Parrot, and 6 Iguanas
That's what LAPD officers found and turned over to Animal Services when they arrested a man for felony animal cruelty last Saturday. Demetrio Plumamena, 46, was arrested for the illegal sale of animals on a sidewalk--that's against local and state laws--by undercover officers working the Fashion District. When animal service officers arrived, they noted that the caged animals were malnourished and resided in cramped cages, all which constituted as animal cruelty. “The illegal sales of animals is a perennial problem in the Fashion District," said Lt. Paul Vernon. “The biggest concern here is for the animals’ welfare and how they are treated, but humans’ health and safety is also a concern because these animals can pass on disease.”
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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