What was supposed to be a routine boarding gig in Tarzana has exploded into a full-blown animal welfare uproar after a 2-year-old pit bull named Odin suffered devastating injuries while in a pet sitter’s care and was later euthanized. Animal advocates are now calling for a criminal investigation, saying the story of what happened to the rescue dog simply does not add up.
Odin’s owner, Zohra Fahim, president of the Los Angeles Alliance for Animals, says veterinary records and her conversations with the sitter raise serious questions about the dog’s final hours. Fahim says she left Odin with pet sitter Adam Rabinowitz last month. On July 1, Rabinowitz called to say Odin could not move. At Fahim’s urging, he brought the dog to TrueCare in Studio City.
According to Fahim, a veterinarian at TrueCare found internal bleeding and paralysis in Odin’s hind legs and reported no puncture wounds. She says Rabinowitz told her he had “slammed Odin to the ground,” an explanation she believes does not match the severity of the injuries. Odin’s condition continued to deteriorate, and he was euthanized. Fahim has arranged a necropsy and asked the city to investigate, as reported by MyNewsLA.
What a necropsy might reveal
A necropsy, essentially an autopsy for animals, can help determine whether a dog suffered blunt-force trauma or bite wounds, show the extent of internal bleeding or organ damage, and flag potential toxins. How the body is stored and how quickly the procedure is done can affect how clear the findings are. Forensic pathologists can also collect tissue and blood samples for lab analysis, evidence that can be crucial if a criminal case follows, according to Dogster.
Other owners raising alarms
Fahim is not alone in sounding the alarm. Members of the rescue community say they have traced other troubling incidents linked to Rabinowitz. Foster volunteer Natalie Garcia told reporters she boarded a Great Dane mix named Raffi with him earlier this year and later found the dog dead in his crate. Rabinowitz attributed Raffi’s death to bloat and reportedly said he might have overfed the dog.
Rescue advocates point to social media posts and a discussion thread tied to a Sepulveda Basin dog park that allege an October 2023 incident involving another dog that later died. Activists organized a news conference outside Rabinowitz’s Tarzana home to demand an independent inquiry into the growing list of concerns, per MyNewsLA.
What the law allows
Under California law, it is a crime to maliciously kill, maim, torture or seriously neglect an animal. Depending on the evidence, prosecutors can file either misdemeanor or felony charges, and courts can also order offenders to forfeit animals in some cases. If Odin’s necropsy results or veterinary records suggest deliberate abuse, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services and local prosecutors could pursue a criminal investigation under Penal Code Section 597, according to California Penal Code Section 597.
How owners can respond
For owners who suspect something is wrong after a boarding or pet-sitting stay, advocates recommend treating the situation like any other potential crime. That means saving all veterinary records, text messages and emails, considering a necropsy if a pet has died, and filing a report with Los Angeles Animal Services so officers can open an investigation.
The city offers a cruelty reporting line and related resources for residents and witnesses. National organizations also provide step-by-step guidance on documenting and reporting suspected abuse, per Los Angeles Animal Services and the ASPCA.
Advocates say they are counting on Odin’s necropsy to deliver clear answers and, if warranted, accountability. Rescue groups and community members plan to keep pressing for transparency while officials review medical records and any new evidence that emerges. This story will be updated as necropsy findings and any official actions are made public.
