Message to the City of Los AngelesMay 2003Wally Baker
Llama owners have worked hard and enthusiastically over the years to promote the many wonderful and positive qualities of the llama over a large venue of settings. However, on occasion, the llama community is confronted with an incorrect perception or misinformed belief relating to llamas. A number of misguided issues arise from cities or other municipality implementing rules and regulations concerning what type animal a llama is. There is much documentation on record from federal, state and other animal organizations that clearly define a llama as domestic livestock. As I discovered, the city of Los Angeles was following city codes and regulations that classified llamas as “wild animals.” Our organization was made aware of this situation in October of last year when a resident of Los Angeles, Lilly Sullivan, contacted me for assistance. Ms. Sullivan was required by the city to obtain a permit for three llamas she owned. The permit requirement classified llamas under a city “wild animal” doctrine. The permit requirement did not upset her, but understandably, having her llamas characterized as wild animals, did.
I contacted the city of Los Angeles Animal Control and discussed Ms. Sullivan’s circumstances. I emphasized the many positive qualities of llamas and how llamas are commonly classified by other animal organizations. The animal control representative stated the agency was following some rather dated administrative procedure relating to animal classifications. The wild animal classification was the only category in their policy used for llamas. The animal control representative said since this situation was brought to their attention, there was a good probability agency guidelines would be reviewed in the near future for possible modification. I followed up our conversation with a letter to the city of Los Angeles Animal Control (see LASC website).
In January 2003, Ms. Sullivan again contacted me advising she had received a citation from the city of Los Angeles respective to not having a permit for her llamas. I contacted the Animal Control regarding the matter. I was informed that the citation was a result of a separate animal control function. I was told the matter would be reviewed and hopefully resolved. In February 2003, after additional follow up conversations with the city of Los Angeles Animal Control, I was advised the city had amended their policy to classify llamas as a domestic animal and, a “wild animal” permit or other animal permit would not be required. Additionally, Ms. Sullivan’s animal permit citation was subsequently dismissed in court.
As illustrated, the importance of llamas being classified in the appropriate animal group cannot be over stated. Proper animal categorization in some areas also can make the difference of whether or not a resident can even keep llamas as a domestic animal or livestock on their ranch.
I would like to thank Lilly Sullivan for bringing her situation to the attention of LASC. Lilly is now a LASC member and has graciously sponsored a class at the April Magic Llama Show.
I also would like to extend our appreciation to the city of Los Angeles Animal Control Office for their receptiveness and positive action to favorably resolve this most important issue, both on a local level and in the interest of the entire llama community.
Letter to the City of Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles Special Operations Permits Division North Central Animal Care and Control Center 3201 Lacy Street Los Angeles, CA 90031
October 28, 2002
Dear Officer Jenny Bastian:
Thank you very much for taking the time last week to discuss your agency’s policy on permit requirements pertaining to “Wild Animals.” Our discussion covered the reason llamas were included under City of Los Angeles Animal Care and Control Center permit classification of “Wild Animals.” Specifically, Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 53.50. Apparently, there is no current permit provision exclusively applicable to llamas as well as a number of other types of domestic animals owned by residents under your agency’s jurisdiction. Therefore, “Wild Animal” classification is used to classify domestic type animals that are not specified under any other animal category. You also indicated that llama permit requirements are not unique, that all domestic livestock, farm animals and other types of animals that are authorized to be kept by residents or other entities within your district must also have appropriate permits.
As I explained, the many thousands of llama owner’s nation wide would be very troubled over the issue that llamas are classified as wild animals, even though the classification in the above situation is administrative in nature, and there is no other current option available procedurally to permit llamas under a different category.
Particularly noteworthy is that The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has specifically classified llamas as “farm animal.” The Morris Animal Foundation, the world’s largest foundation on companion animal and wildlife health studies, classifies llamas as “companion animals.” In addition, The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) refers to llamas as livestock. There certainly is no reference as to llamas being categorized as “wild animals” by any of these major animal organizations. Page 2
As a bit of background on llamas, I would like to state the many uses llamas provide a wide range of animal lovers. Presently, there are over 100,000 llamas in this country that are raised for their many positive qualities including ease of handling, youth programs, companionship and service to the community. Llamas are one of the oldest domesticated animals in the world, and have been used to carry product goods and other essential materials in South America for approximately 5000 years.
Llamas have repeatedly demonstrated their calm and gentle nature at a multitude of events, including, shows, parades, grade school educational programs, public relations events, to mention a few. The educational value of llamas is tremendous. People from all walks of life and backgrounds have shared enjoyment and a common interest in learning about llamas when seeing them exhibited at events and other educational settings. Nationwide, there are many youth programs involving llamas that have proved invaluable to proper development of our youth learning about proper animal care and showmanship.
Llamas also serve as certified therapy animals that visit health care facilities and convalescent homes to uplift the spirit of many that welcome the comfort and close company of a well-mannered and charismatic animal.
Llamas frequently provide service to various public organizations. Llamas are used as volunteer pack stock for the U.S. Forestry Service to help patrol areas, search and rescue operations and to maintain public lands. In addition, llamas perform volunteer work to help maintain public trails for other organizations such as the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA). Llamas in this country are used as pack stock, both commercially and on a recreational basis, because of their gentle nature with people and minimal impact on the environment.
Understandably, based on the dedication and common interest of the llama industry, llama owners throughout this country would be enormously concerned and dismayed by having llamas referred to as “Wild Animals” under any circumstances. To have a negative stigma of wild animal associated with llamas after many years of hard work by the llama industry and other political pursuits to appropriately classify llamas as livestock, farm animals or companion animals, llama owners have undisputable alarm. Negative labeling of this type has resulted in a regression to a time most people had little or no understanding of llamas or awareness of their most positive relationship with people.
In our conversation you did present the possibility of an amenable solution to classify llamas as other than wild animals. Your suggestion that a “Large Domestic Animal” classification be added to permit terminology. Llamas would be included as a large domestic animal under this animal classification. This change would resolve having the negative stigma of “Wild Animal” connected with llamas.
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However, as you indicated, for this classification change to occur, political action is necessary on your local level to modify present animal guidelines relating to animal terminology and animal permit policy. Llama organizations, both locally and on an international front, and llama owners in general, are most willing to participate in whatever process necessary to facilitate the animal classification change. The entire llama industry would be extremely grateful to the City of Los Angeles and to your agency for the necessary procedural change in animal group classification that would reflect llamas in a more positive and deserving manner.
Your attention to this matter is very much appreciated. If I can be of further assistance, Please call me at (909) 685-6778.
Best regards,
Wally Baker, President Llama Association of Southern California
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