Fashion District's Other Illegal Inventory: Animals
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 by ED FUENTES
Near Santee Alley, baby rabbits with no protection from the heat wait to be sold. Selling animals has been a visible, and illegal, industry since the 1990s.
Luckily, the baby rabbits have a caretaker in Lejla Hadzimuratovic, an actress and former member of PETA who was assaulted last year after taking photos of animal vendors at 12th and Maple. She and two other members of her group were battered by individuals who jumped out of a car to protect their investment.
Despite news coverage and an investigation, no charges were filed by Newton Division, she said. The incident did, however, prompt her to form an organization, now operating as the non-profit Bunnyworldfoundation, to heal and help find homes for newborn rabbits sold in the Fashion District.
"We are still working closely with LAPD," said Hadzimuratovic, who is making a documentary on the animal sales near Santee Alley. "Since June 2008, we have saved 450 baby rabbits, and found homes for 250 of them."
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