Animal rights campaigners in California are in uproar after an activist posted surveillance footage which he said showed confused puppies being rolled into an execution chamber.
Joey Tuccio hit out at political leaders as he posted a video which he claims shows two dogs, said to be called Spark and Bryce, being taken to a small, windowless room at the back of a lot. The campaigning Instagram account I Love Rescue said that the video showed the Devore Shelter in San Bernardino County.
‘This is the last moment of their lives,’ Tuccio wrote on X.
‘While animal rescuers are screaming, while breeding laws are not enforced because it’s “culturally insensitive,” here are the real victims.’
Spark, an Australian cattle dog, was 1.5 years old and had a ‘stressful intake’ process at the shelter, according to I Love Rescue. The poster said the dog was calm and sweet when they visited the shelter before her euthanasia.
Bryce, a pit bull, reportedly exhibited stress and frustration in the shelter and was labeled an urgent rescue before his death.
Activists accuse the Devore Shelter of frequently euthanizing pets because of the high number of animals it takes in. The Daily Mail reached out to the shelter for comment.
Two dogs were allegedly euthanized on Wednesday at the Devore Shelter in San Bernardino County
Spark, an Australian cattle dog, was one of the dogs that campaigners say were euthanized
San Bernardino County took in 6,000 animals in 2023, more than 7,700 in 2024, and nearly 6,800 in 2025. The county placed 4,744 animals with adopting families in 2024, county data showed. 2025 numbers were not available.
The shocking footage emerged as Tuccio’s organization, Starts With One Today, and Advancing Law for Animals filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday, demanding the US government investigate animal abuse on LA’s famous Skid Row. LA County and San Bernardino County border each other.
It is unclear if Spark and Bryce were found on Skid Row.
The organizations accuse LA mayor Karen Bass and local law enforcement of refusing to take meaningful action to stop illegal sidewalk breeding, animal cruelty, and neglect.
‘Instead of helping abused, raped, and neglected animals, city officials would rather keep supporting criminals. We need federal help now,’ Tuccio said in a statement.
The complaint called upon US Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to investigate.
The groups say animals have had their ‘eyes and genitals glued together,’ as well as having bones broken, paws mutilated, and being overdosed on drugs, according to the complaint viewed by the Daily Mail.
It also alleged that dogs, especially pit bulls, are being bred on Skid Row to be sold in dog trafficking rings for animal fighting in Las Vegas.
Campaigners have filed a lawsuit demanding that the US government investigate animal abuse on LA’s famous Skid Row
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‘Dogs on Skid Row continue to suffer from severe and intentional harm, as local authorities refuse to take appropriate action,’ the complaint said.
Animal rights activists, such as Tuccio, actively monitor Skid Row and try to help abused animals.
Tuccio told KTLA that activists have gone before City Council on multiple occasions to beg for help, only to be ignored.
Starts With One Today provides supplies to homeless pet owners to help care for animals. They also receive community reports about the abuse animals receive on the street.
‘Every day we get another call saying people are trying to sell their dog for drugs,’ Tuccio told the outlet.
Jonathan Parker, the co-founder of Starts With One Today, told KTLA the city’s inaction is ‘frustrating.’
‘But at the end of the day, if we don’t do it, no one will,’ he said.
In November, Bass’ office announced a new initiative to increase investigations into alleged animal cruelty on Skid Row.
The lawsuit says heinous abuse is taking place including the gluing together of animals’ genitals
The effort jointly involved the LAPD and the Los Angeles Animal Services to enhance wellness checks and provide resources.
‘I launched this new initiative to keep pets with their owners whenever possible while holding those who commit crimes of animal cruelty and neglect accountable,’ Bass said in a statement.
Bass’ office told the Daily Mail that more than 100 LAPD officers have also received ‘intensive training focused on animal cruelty’
‘Since then, animals have been rescued, multiple citations and arrests have been made, and potential animal abuse or cruelty cases have been referred to the District Attorney and City Attorney,’ a spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
‘In addition to conducting follow-ups with roughly 100 dog owners to address complaints, LAPD and LA Animal Services have also partnered on support and prevention efforts, providing pet owners with food, leashes, and other essential supplies, and helping ensure access to veterinary care when necessary.’
