On November 2, In Defense of Animals and Los Angeles Alliance for Animals delivered a letter signed by nearly 12,000 of our supporters to the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks urging a non-animal model in place of the former pony rides and petting zoo at Griffith Park and requesting a meeting to discuss the matter.

We partnered with Los Angeles Alliance for Animals to show footage demonstrating how senior ponies were overworked without rest, did not receive water for long periods, and were denied protection against hot temperatures. Workers prodded ponies for several hours to provide rides to children when they refused to move any further. Other animals were documented suffering, including a sheep in distress and rabbits sitting in the hot sun with no shade or water in the petting zoo over the summer.

In December 2022, we celebrated a major victory when Griffith Park Pony Rides and Petting Zoo was forced to stop operating in the park. The Department of Rec and Parks announced its decision on December 3 to not renew the contract for 2023. On December 22, business was closed to the public, marking the end of 74 years of chronic animal suffering.

Ending the pony ride and petting zoo contract was a major step toward ending the exploitation of animals in the city of Los Angeles. Now we are urging Recreation and Parks to implement a non-animal model in its place instead of bringing back another form of animal entertainment, which would only perpetuate animal exploitation. Los Angeles is a leader in ethical and progressive policies and this is a perfect opportunity for the city to choose the compassionate and progressive route.

Nearly 12,000 people signed our alert urging the department to consider a non-animal model instead of bringing animals back onto the premises. We are also urging the department and Los Angeles City Council to implement a non-animal model for the safety of the community, including every child who visits Griffith Park. 

We’ll continue to work to ensure no more animals are exploited at Griffith Park and will send more updates, so stay tuned. You can also get involved and take action against animal abuse at Griffith Park, by following Los Angeles Alliance for Animals and taking the action steps included in our alert if you have not already done so.

Thank you for all that you do to help animals.