Griffith Park Pony Rides and Petting Zoo in Los Angeles is abusing and neglecting elderly ponies and horses in its care, and it’s time to end the suffering. On August 17, we are partnering with the Los Angeles Alliance for Animals (LAAA) to demand action from city councilmembers in banning these pony rides.

We need your help to urge councilmembers to ban these pony rides, cancel and not renew Griffith Park Pony Rides and Petting Zoo's contract, replace the park with a non-animal model, and send all of the animals to a sanctuary through public comment.

What: Public comment opportunity to protest Griffith Park Pony Rides and Petting Zoo with Los Angeles City Councilmembers 

When: Wednesday, August 17. Although public comment begins at 10 a.m., advocates should arrive at 8 a.m. so names can be submitted to speak. If you can’t arrive by 8 am, please contact Zohra Fahim, founder of LAAA, so your name can be submitted to speak: alliance.for.animals2021@gmail.com

Where: 200 N Spring St, Room 340 Los Angeles, CA 90012

Meet: Meet in front of City Hall. Please refer to this Google Map to view the meeting spot location.

Prepare: Please prepare a one-minute speech urging councilmembers to ban pony rides in Los Angeles. City Council will only take the first 20 minutes to hear attendees.

COVID-19 Policy: According to the Office of the City Clerk, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 200.123, proof of full Covid-19 vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within the prior 72 hours will be required to enter the City Hall building for any purpose. Proof of a negative test requires a printed document, email, or text message displayed on a phone from a test provider or laboratory showing the results of a PCR or antigen Covid-19 test. Additionally, pursuant to mayoral directives, indoor masking will be required regardless of vaccination status or proof of a negative test. 

LAAA has captured footage at Griffith Park Pony Rides and Petting Zoo of depressed elderly ponies on the turnstile not receiving water for almost seven hours, elderly ponies being overworked with no protection against hot temperatures, and elderly ponies being hit for several hours to provide rides to children. In addition to the abuse of ponies, this footage has also shown rabbits sitting in the hot sun with no shade, and no water in the petting zoo over the summer.

Please sign our alert to stop the horror show at Griffith Park Pony Rides and Petting Zoo if you haven’t already, and please be sure to make the suggested calls if you haven’t yet.

Thank you so much in advance for participating in this partnership with LAAA to end the suffering of ponies in the Los Angeles area. 

In Defense of Animals fully expects and strongly urges all people involved in this campaign to act responsibly and lawfully and to respect the personal interests and privacy rights and concerns of any individuals who may be affected by, or become the subject of, your protests or related efforts.