Donate to help stop animal cruelty

Over twenty years ago, I dug in the dirt with the then-mayor of Long Beach, Beverly O’Neill.

You see, we were breaking ground on what would become the spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center, which we opened in 2001.

Our vision was to Serve Long Beach and Los Angeles County for the next generation of animal welfare.

And, that’s just what we’ve done for the past twenty years, because of people like you. 

A generation of children and youth have benefitted from empathy-based animal welfare education at our Friends for Life Summer Camp, Pet Care Patch Workshops, Teaching Love & Compassion (TLC)™ sessions, and other offerings, right here in our community. 

Several generations of Long Beach shelter pets - over 40,000 of them - found new homes via spcaLA at the Village. Before they left us, spcaLA volunteers and staff provided each of these dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, and other animals with veterinary care, nourishing food, enrichment and much more.

And, that barely scratches the surface of what you’ve helped us accomplish.

Thank you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Los Angeles, CA–Darion K. Hackett (DOB 7-7-1991) was brought into custody and charged with two felony counts of Penal Code 597(a) animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of Penal Code 597.1, permitting injured animals to go without veterinary care, for his alleged abuse and neglect of Bow, an 11 month old female Calico cat. The arrest is the result of a case investigated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA). Hackett was taken into custody and booked by the Los Angeles Police Department Gang and Narcotics Division, Fugitive Warrant Section (Booking #6149961). The defendant is cited to appear for arraignment on the charges on July 22, 2021 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Torrance.

On October 18, 2020, compassionate citizens rescued Bow from a dumpster located at a Lawndale apartment building. From a subsequent medical examination, it was clear that Bow suffered from severe injuries to both hind legs.

Further examinations by spcaLA veterinary staff confirmed that Bow had sustained a previous, poorly healed fracture to her right hind leg, and a recent fracture to her left hind leg. In addition, Bow suffered from a dislocation of her right hip, bruising of her lung, broken teeth, as well as tears and abrasions to her ears.

spcaLA investigators linked Bow to Hackett through her microchip, and questioned him about the circumstances surrounding her current and previous injuries.

During the investigation, spcaLA began rehabilitating Bow. She underwent surgery to repair the injuries in her hind legs, which required an excision of the right femoral head and neck, and stabilizations of the bones in the right and left legs. Bow has spent the last five months rehabilitating in foster care with an spcaLA Volunteer. Bow exhibits social behaviors, and is a sweet, affectionate cat. She was deemed available for adoption on March 19, 2021.

If convicted, Hackett could spend up to 4 years 8 months in Los Angeles County Jail.

spcaLA is the only private animal welfare organization in Los Angeles that is also Law Enforcement. spcaLA Humane Officers hold the same powers of Peace Officers in the state of California when investigating animal cruelty. spcaLA is a non-profit agency that relies on donations for its programs and services, including animal cruelty investigations. 

Links:

• Daily Breeze Article
• Video of Bow