Public commenter cites Presa Canario attack; councilors ask Animal Services to investigate and to return with motion

A public speaker on Aug. 3 told the Los Angeles City Council about concerns over Presa Canario dogs and asked the council and state lawmakers to allow local breed‑specific regulation.

Phyllis Doherty, identifying herself as director of a community animal protection group, described the fatal San Francisco attack by two Presa Canario dogs and said the animals were bred in a ring linked to white supremacist inmates. “Recently, two Presa Canario dogs… attacked and killed Diane Whipple in the hallway of her upscale San Francisco apartment,” Doherty said. She said breeders boasted about a litter tied to the case and that at least one of the puppies had been advertised locally.

Councilmembers said the issue could not be acted on today as it was raised during public comment, but several asked the Department of Animal Services to investigate the specific animal information the speaker provided. Councilmember Garcetti thanked Doherty for bringing the matter to the council’s attention and said he would be willing to write to state legislators. Councilmember Wax asked that Animal Services look into the specific puppy cited in the speaker’s materials and report back with findings and recommendations. Councilmember Misikowski said she would work with colleagues to bring a motion for the council’s Tuesday meeting to (1) direct Animal Services to investigate and (2) pursue legislative steps in Sacramento to change state law that currently restricts local breed-specific regulation.

Councilmembers emphasized they could not take final legislative action in the public-comment period but signaled intent to pursue administrative and legislative follow-up. No formal vote was taken during the public comment period; councilmembers asked staff to prepare follow-up action and for an authored motion to be filed at the next meeting.