Local rescue known as LA's 'first humane pet shop' forced to close
LOS ANGELES - A Fairfax district pet shop and rescue is forced to close down after facing intense pressure over a shocking video that showed an employee throwing a dog to the ground.
The owner of Bark n' Bitches said it is closing by the end of the month as a result of pressure from the city of Los Angeles Animal Services Department, according to the shop's Instagram account.
She posted:
"It is with great sadness, and certainly not by choice, that this magical, love-filled shop has been forced to close as a result of the pressures put on me by LAAS (Los Angeles Animal Service). We will be vacating by the end of the month. We started our venture in 2006, and never would I imagine what this 1,400 square ft. the store would become. We have been responsible for saving the lives of over 7,000 homeless dogs. Our adopters, volunteers, and community has rallied with us to make miracle after miracle a reality for all of these dogs. It was a 24hr a day job, 7 days a week, but the result of seeing the joy of a new family with their newly adopted fur baby made it all worth it. I love my community, my staff, and volunteers. If you would like to do something about this injustice please DM us. LAAS has 17 of my rescued dogs and puppies stuffed in their overcrowded cement jungle, lonely and scared. It is now day 23 of them holding my happy healthy dogs hostage after they seized them on January 17th."
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Back in November 2019, the store came into the spotlight after a video surfaced showing an employee picking up a dog by the neck and tossing it to the ground.
Shortly after the video came out, the store owner posted about the employee's actions and was let go.
"There was an inexcusable incident in the shop tonight. We will not tolerate this or any actions that put our rescues in harm's way. The appropriate actions are being taken. This is NOT what we stand for," she said.
L.A. City Animal Services launched an investigation into the shop.
The store opened in 2006 and besides selling pet products, the retail shop is involved in dog rescue and adoption efforts. "We have been responsible for saving the lives of over 7,000 homeless dogs," the owner said.
She's now asking for the public's help in keeping "Barks-n-bitches" open.