Riverside County Animal Services Officers Rescue Dozens of Dogs from a Property in Thermal

Riverside County Animal Services officers rescued dozens of dogs today from a property in Thermal where temperatures climbed to triple-digit figures.

Animal Services responded to the property in the 88000 block of Avenue 61 where they discovered more than 40 dogs, some deceased. The team responded after learning the owner was no longer on site and there were reports of many unattended dogs.

Upon arriving, animal control officers observed dogs in crates, some confined to rooms and others roaming freely. There were almost 20 dead dogs, but that number could rise.

The officers remained on scene as of 1 p.m.

Staff transported roughly 20 dogs in the first wave to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms just before noon. Veterinary services staffers examined the dogs and provided treatment. Most are in very poor condition. Many are emaciated and weak.

Temperatures in Thermal climbed into triple-digit territory while staff processed the dogs and loaded them onto their trucks. The truck engines were kept running to allow air condition to flow in the compartments. A high temp of 119 degrees is forecast for Thermal today.

Lt. Luis Rosa of Animal Services estimated approximately 40 dogs in total were at the property, located remotely near farmland. Nineteen dogs were found dead upon his team’s arrival. The property was overrun with trash and debris. The interior of the house was filled with clutter and a strong odor of urine.

Veteran Animal Services employees described the scene as one of the worst they’ve seen in years.

“Awful, just awful,” said Deputy Director Jackie Schart, who oversees shelter operations. Schart rolled out with the officers to help. “These dogs are so weak, so emaciated, so starved. There were dogs in crates with dead dogs. Just terrible.”

Animal Services employees reached out to volunteers and rescue partners to assist taking dogs currently cared for at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. The public plea was an attempt to alleviate the overcrowding situation and free up space for the Thermal-case dogs. There are more than 200 dogs at the shelter currently – and only 84 kennel runs.

A relative of the Thermal property owner relinquished ownership of the dogs, allowing Animal Services the ability to get immediate outcomes, including adoption, transfer to rescue organizations, release to fosters and, if needed, humane euthanasia.

The Coachella Valley Animal Campus is in desperate need for adopters, fosters and help from rescue partners.

A situation like this usually rises to the level of animal cruelty for serious neglect. However, it’s unlikely Animal Services will pursue cruelty charges because the dog owner has been hospitalized. It’s understood that the man is in critical condition and may not survive.