Los Angeles County Code Title 10 regulates the keeping of animals in Los Angeles County. Sections of this code control the breeding of dogs to reduce dog overpopulation and euthanasia, enhance public safety, and ensure the humane treatment of the dogs. Title 10 is enforced in all unincorporated County areas, as well in the 45 cities that contract with DACC for animal care and control services.

For the purposes of Title 10, dog breeding is broken down into two categories. The first is businesses that breed dogs for profit. They have four or more dogs and must obtain an animal facility license and be inspected annually or more, depending on the number of animals they have. The second category is “hobby breeder” and these dog owners have four or fewer dogs. They must obtain a hobby breeding license and are not allowed to breed more than one litter per household per year.

However, there is another source of puppies that produces far greater animals with no oversight over the care of the animals. Illegal dog breeding, often called “backyard breeding,” poses serious threats to animal welfare in Los Angeles County. These unregulated, often hidden operations frequently result in sick, genetically compromised, and underage puppies that are sold to unsuspecting buyers and contribute heavily to the number of animals brought to local shelters.

There has been an uptick in illegal breeding since the Covid-19 pandemic, when the demand for puppies dramatically increased. Further, puppies obtained during the pandemic have now grown into adults that are less likely to be spayed or neutered due to the reduction of access to veterinary services. More accidental litters are being born and are brought to animal shelters, challenging an already stressed system.

To address this growing issue, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) has created a dedicated tipline for reporting suspected illegal breeding activity. Reports of illegal and inhumane dog breeding can be made to DACC, and officers will investigate the complaints and take enforcement actions if violations of law are discovered. Since this tipline was created in November 2024, DACC has received 434 tips that resulted in 256 enforcement activities. Not all tips are regarding activities within DACC’s jurisdiction and when that happens, we refer the information to the animal control agency responsible for enforcement in that area.

Backyard breeders operate without oversight, training, or concern for animal welfare. As a result, the consequences for both animals and the community are severe.

Sick and Underage Puppies

Sold Too Young: Puppies are frequently taken from their mothers too early—sometimes before six weeks old—causing underdevelopment, fear-based behavior, and chronic health problems.

No Veterinary Care: Puppies are often sold without vaccinations, deworming, or exams, leaving them vulnerable to serious illnesses like parvovirus, kennel cough, or internal parasites.

High Mortality: Many buyers unwittingly purchase animals that are already sick or too fragile to survive, resulting in emotional and financial hardship.

Genetic Defects: The Hidden Cost

Because backyard breeders don’t screen for hereditary health issues, their puppies often suffer from serious lifelong conditions including:

Hip dysplasia: Common in larger breeds, this painful joint condition can develop early and severely limit mobility.

Heart defects: Congenital heart diseases, such as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), can go undetected until it’s too late.

Eye Disorders: Conditions like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) or cataracts can cause blindness and are often inherited.

Neurological issues: Unscreened breeding can pass along serious issues like epilepsy or cerebellar hypoplasia, affecting coordination and quality of life.

Breathing problems: Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers have exaggerated shortened muzzles. The result of reckless breeding of these breeds can cause the puppies to have severe breathing problems and soft palate malformities that require surgery to repair.

These conditions often require expensive, long-term care—or result in early euthanasia.

Overwhelming Animal Shelters: The Forgotten Outcome

When these puppies become too sick or cannot be sold and are simply unwanted, many backyard breeders surrender them to local shelters. Shelters across Los Angeles County are already stretched thin, and illegal breeding exacerbates the crisis. These unwanted litters fill housing space needed for truly homeless animals, drain shelter resources for medical care and behavioral treatment, and often arrive in poor health and are difficult to rehabilitate.

In many cases, backyard breeders simply abandon puppies they can’t sell, dumping them in parking lots, parks, or directly at shelter doors—leaving it to taxpayers and animal control officers to take on the responsibility of finding them new homes.

How to Report Suspected Illegal Breeding

If you suspect illegal dog breeding, you can help stop it by reporting to DACC in three ways:

Online: Visit the Stop Illegal Breeding portal at https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/stop-illegal-breeding/
Email: Send tips to stopillegalbreeding@animalcare.lacounty.gov.
Phone: Call the tipline at (661) 261-0111.

Please provide as much information as possible. To effectively investigate the complaint, we need the exact location, description of the dogs and conditions, any screenshots of online sales ads, and video or photo evidence (if safe and legal to obtain).

Anonymous reports are accepted, but including your contact info allows officers to follow up if needed. Often, they require verification of the information you provided or more detail to be able to find the location.

Why This Matters: Community Voices and Animal Lives

Backyard breeding is not a victimless activity. It leaves behind sick animals, brokenhearted pet owners, and overwhelmed shelters. We want to send a clear and direct message to anyone participating in backyard breeding activities, be it buyers or sellers: backyard breeding is unsafe, unethical, and unnecessary.

Reporting illegal breeding not only stops cruelty, it also prevents future suffering and protects our community’s animals and resources.

How You Can Help

Adopt, Don’t Shop: Choose pets from shelters or reputable rescue groups.

Only buy from ethical breeders: If you absolutely must purchase from a breeder, make sure they are ethical and responsible. For more information about how to find a responsible breeder, click here: https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/news/buyer-beware/.

Educate Others: Share this information with neighbors, friends, and family.

Report Illegal Activity: Don’t assume someone else will do it—your voice matters.

Support Spay/Neuter Programs: Reducing unwanted litters saves lives. Donate to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation’s spay/neuter programs here: https://lacountyanimals.org/services/spay-and-neuter/

Every call, every tip, every voice counts. Let’s work together to stop illegal dog breeding, save vulnerable animals, and give every dog the healthy, loving start they deserve.

Marcia Mayeda

You can subscribe to Marcia’s blog here: Director’s Blog
The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charity that raises money to support DACC in its mission of saving animals and keeping pets and families together. Learn more at www.lacountyanimals.org.