American Tortoise Rescue

undercover investigation into illegal animal sales

In Santee Alley, Los Angeles

The Problem

The shelter, located in Malibu, Calif., was founded in 1990.   ATR is a member of the American Sanctuary Association.  ATR also acts as a public educator and advocate for positive legislation and animal protection.

Overview

In what is known as the Los Angeles City garment district, Santee Alley is home to hundreds of open air shops and stalls that sell clothes, notions, fabric, house wares and pet animals.  Located in an area straddling two City Council Districts, it is a largely unregulated shopping experience.  Dozens of vendors routinely sell tiny turtles, small iguanas, parrots and other birds, rabbits, rodents, fish and exotic spiders.  Children of the vendors assist in the selling and handling of reptiles and provide no consumer information about the care of these animals or public health risks associated with potential salmonella and e-coli exposure to reptiles.  Animals are stored in the sun in tiny enclosures, fed inappropriate food, if fed at all, and die by the hundreds every day due to poor nutrition, storage and handling.

Objectives

The purpose of this video project is to inform the Los Angeles City council members, the public and law enforcement about the deplorable and illegal conditions of these animals and the Federally prohibited sale of turtles under a four-inch carapace length.

Solution

MTA Films Entertainment, Inc. in conjunction with ATR developed a four-minute undercover investigative video, narrated by ATR founder, Susan Tellem.  In it, illegal turtles were bought and their unhealthy condition revealed.

"We were able to document the inhumane treatment of these tiny animals and also reveal their sellers’ indifference to their public health risk they represent.  Also, we showed the complete lack of law enforcement and passing of the buck by City officials,” Tellem said

Results

The four-minute undercover video has been shown to animal regulation, ATR members and Los Angeles City Council and has forced them to deal with this public health emergency.  Today, thanks to this video and the energetic lobbying of ATR, law enforcement routinely sweeps the Santee Alley for illegal animal sales.  According to the officer in charge, they have made three arrests, issued four citations and impounded more than 500 animals.  They noted a definite reduction in the activity of illegal animal sales and will continue enforcement.