OUR BEST FRIENDS
There are more than 480,000 dogs in the city of Los Angeles, the Department of Animal Regulation estimates. From July, 1988, through June, 1989, the department licensed 200,000 dogs and 1,701 equine, 99% of them horses. As of August, the department recorded 2,224 horses, 11 burros and six mules in the city. Cats are not licensed and no firm population estimates exist.
WHAT HAPPENS TO STRAYS Statistics from city Department of Animal Regulation, fiscal year 1988/89
Caught Picked up Brought in by dept. after call by citizens DOGS 4,397 8,503 10,455 CATS 404 5,380 13,693 OTHERS 954 5,159 2,476
Claimed Sold Destroyed* DOGS 5,321 8,301 24,173 CATS 295 5,274 28,433 OTHERS 112 1,138 5,993
EXOTIC ANIMALS On permit in the city of Los Angeles as of February, 1989
Iguanas 511 Squirrel monkeys 20 Capuchin monkeys 7 Macaque monkeys 7 Spider monkeys 7 Wooly monkeys 2 Tarantulas 14 Scorpions 11 Boa constrictors 2 Redtail boas 6 Llamas 8 Raccoons 4 Ferrets 3 Alligators 2 Emus 2 Falcons 2 Leopards 2 African wildcats 2 Bobcat 1 Hawk 1 Jaguar 1 African lion 1 Opossum 1 Burmese python 1 Tiger 1
*Figures account for all animals, whether originally strays or owned.
Source: Department of Animal Regulation, City of Los Angeles. Compiled by Times researcher Tracy Thomas
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