Alondra Alonzo, center, a Business Improvement District security officer, wrests a bag of rabbits from Stacy Martinez, who was trying to sell them on Maple Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. Sgt. Ernesto Mahano, right, arrives to assist. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A rabbit estimated to be about 2 weeks old sits in a cage as a woman accused of illegally trying to sell it and other animals is arrested. Lettuce? Not a good idea for young bunnies, one rescuer says. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Rescuer Lejla Hadzimuratovic, right, cradles a baby bunny as Veronica Maldonado is arrested for selling rabbits at Maple Avenue and 12th Street. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A sidewalk vendor slips a plastic bag over cages containing rabbits and turtles as she scrambles to leave the corner of 12th and Maple. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Carrots, a box cutter and a container full of turtles are found in a van. What makes the sale of animals particularly egregious to animal rescuers, the Department of Animal Services and law enforcement officers is that the creatures are usually unweaned, malnourished and destined to die once buyers get them home. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
LAPD Officer Matthew Shafer snaps a photo of confiscated animals. Shafer, who owns three rescue dogs, said that collaring sidewalk vendors illegally selling DVDs and animals is “my favorite thing.” (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
LAPD Officer Matthew Shafer, center, and Javier Castellon of the Business Improvement District oversee the confiscation of turtles and other paraphernalia from a van. “I know all the players down here,” Shafer said. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
