A horrifying "underground ecosystem" on Los Angeles’ Skid Row is coming to light as animal advocates report that dogs are being used as live test subjects for street drugs.
Members of the non-profit Starts With One Today are sounding the alarm, claiming that animals are being injected or fed substances to ensure they aren't laced with fentanyl before humans consume them.
Rescuers like Joey Tuccio and Jonathan Parker describe a lawless zone where puppies are traded for drug hits and others are left to die in cages under the blistering sun.
In one stomach-turning case, a volunteer witnessed an individual, heavily under the influence, attempting to "dissect" a dog’s injured leg with a pair of tweezers.
The advocates claim that despite years of begging for help, the Los Angeles City Council and Mayor Karen Bass have failed to enforce basic animal cruelty laws.
While a pilot initiative was launched in late 2025 to train LAPD officers in recognizing abuse, rescuers say the "filth and neglect" on the streets remain unchanged.
"We’re risking our lives to help these dogs with no support from the government," Tuccio told reporters.
The group frequently finds dogs suffering from parvovirus, open fractures, and severe dehydration, often tied up near tents while their owners are incapacitated.
As of April 2026, the LAPD maintains that multiple citations and arrests have been made by the specialized Central Bureau officers.
However, for the volunteers who walk the area every Sunday, the "ecosystem" of Mercedes-Benzes buying dogs and drugs on Skid Row shows no signs of slowing down.