Mayor Vilaraigosa's office has put out a statement thanking the embattled Boks for his service.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released the following statement today regarding the resignation of the Department of Animal Services’ General Manager, Ed Boks:

“I thank Ed Boks for his years of service at the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services.

"Under his leadership, this City has revamped the way we treat and care for our pets and animals. The ‘no kill’ policy has become a central component of our animal services strategy. Pet adoptions are up and shelters have expanded at a rapid rate. And ‘spay and neuter’ has become more than just a call to action; it is the law in Los Angeles.

“Ed deserves our gratitude for his efforts and our best wishes in the years ahead. We look forward to building on his legacy and continuing to make the Department of Animal Services the gold standard for pet protection.”

* Update: Media coverage at LAT, DN, CNS