Los Angeles police arrested a man downtown after he allegedly tried to sell animals that were malnourished and held in cramped cages, authorities said.
David Plumamena, 46, was booked on suspicion of felony animal cruelty. He had 35 miniature rabbits, 79 turtles, six iguanas and a parrot, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Patrol officers allegedly saw Plumamena putting the caged animals along the sidewalk Saturday in the 1200 block of Wall Street, where he intended to sell them, the LAPD said.
The sale of illegal animals is an ongoing problem in the area, especially around holidays such as Easter, said Lt. Paul Vernon, who commands detectives in the LAPD’s Central Division.
Most of the animals sold illegally are in poor health and often die shortly after they are sold, according to Vernon.
"Patronizing these animal traffickers only encourages them to sell more animals," he said.
— Robert J. Lopez
Photo: Rabbits seized by police. Credit: Los Angeles Police Department.