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ANIMAL WATCH - Every year in Vietnam, approximately five million dogs and one million cats are killed for human consumption, more than 13,000 dogs every single day. Many are beaten, hanged, bled out, or thrown alive into boiling water. Before their deaths, they are crammed into cages and transported in horrific conditions. This is cruelty on a massive scale, and Los Angeles has the power to help end it.
But right now, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is blocking that effort.
We have just completed a documentary film that lays out the facts, policy, history, and the moral stakes surrounding City Council File 25-0193, a motion that would allow Los Angeles to pursue a Sister City relationship with Hanoi while keeping in mind the City’s official policy opposing the dog and cat meat trade. I provided the film to Mayor Bass and her senior staff and asked them to identify if there is anything factually incorrect in it by January 5, 2026. I also asked them to reconsider their decision placing a hold on this motion and preventing it from coming to a vote. There was no response.
BACKGROUND
In 2019, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the dog meat trade worldwide, with Vietnam specifically named (City Council File 19-0002-S101). See CityWatch: LA Passes Anti-Dog Meat Resolution Saving Millions of Dogs from Brutal Torture and Death. That resolution committed Los Angeles to supporting efforts to end this cruelty.
In 2023, the United States and Vietnam entered into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership encouraging cities like Los Angeles and Hanoi to deepen ties.
Animal welfare advocates urged Los Angeles to act on its own policy. The Global Anti-Dog Meat Coalition called upon Los Angeles to pursue a Sister City relationship with Hanoi that would help end the dog and cat meat trade. See CityWatch: Five Million Dogs and Cats Desperately Need Saving in Vietnam.
In February 2025, City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield introduced City Council File 25-0193, seconded by Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, to accomplish this goal. Everything was on track, until Mayor Bass placed a hold on the motion, without explanation.
BROAD SUPPORT, NO COST, REAL IMPACT
A Sister City relationship would bring significant benefits to both Los Angeles and Hanoi, including increased trade, tourism, cultural and educational exchanges, and scientific and technological cooperation. It would not cost Los Angeles anything. It would also provide a practical, respectful pathway for Vietnam to end or phase out the dog and cat meat trade.
Public opinion data confirms strong support for this. In Vietnam:
• 68% of Vietnamese support banning dog meat, 71% support banning cat meat (Nielsen survey, 2023)
• 95% say eating dogs and cats is not part of Vietnamese culture (Four Paws survey)
In Los Angeles:
• 3,000+ public comments support City Council File 25-0193.
• 14,000+ emails supporting CF 25-0193 have been sent to Mayor Bass via In Defense of Animals.
• 36,000+ petition signatures have been collected in support of CF 25-0193 by Lady Freethinker.
ABOUT THE FILM
The documentary explains all of this in detail. There is no graphic content in the first 15 minutes of the film. That portion focuses on policy, history, and public support. It includes statements from Vietnam War Veterans and a prominent Vietnamese-American community member supporting a sister city relationship with Hanoi that leads to the end of dog and cat meat, and supporting City Council File 25-0193.
The final seven minutes of the film consist of video shot in Hanoi by Lady Freethinker, some of which has never been publicly released before, showing the stark reality of the dog and cat meat trade. Before this final segment begins, a clear and explicit warning screen appears. Only after that warning is there graphic video that may be disturbing to some viewers. Anyone who does not wish to see this footage can stop watching at that point.
Every day Mayor Bass maintains a hold on City Council File 25-0193, another 13,000 dogs and 2,700 cats suffer and die.
Content Warning:
This film contains disturbing scenes involving the killing of animals, including dogs and cats. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
WATCH THE FILM on youtube: https://youtu.be/ZBaFiQt0ihE
For further information about the Bass Administration’s treatment of animals, see:
Los Angeles Times: Mayor Bass Said She’d Save L.A.’s Shelter Animals. More Dogs And Cats Are Dying
CityWatch: Mayor Bass Strikes Out On Animal Welfare
CityWatch: Does L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Hate Animals?
(Jeffrey Mausner (www.mausnerlaw.com/) is on the Executive Committee of the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils (VANC) where he serves as the Liaison to the Los Angeles Animal Services Department; he is 2nd Vice President of the Tarzana Neighborhood Council and Chair of its Animal Welfare Committee. He also volunteers at the West Valley Animal Shelter. A retired attorney, law professor, and former U.S. Justice Department Federal Prosecutor, Jeff has received numerous awards, including the 2023 Guardian of the Animals Award and a 2024 Special Commendation from the California Legislature. He co-founded the Global Anti-Dog Meat Coalition. This article is written in his private individual capacity, not on behalf of the Animal Services Department.)
