Cruelty Investigation Leads To 100 Animals Seized East Of Temecula

AGUANGA, CA ? More than 100 animals were seized from a property east of Temecula following a cruelty investigation that was triggered amid the 5,222-acre Nixon Fire, the Riverside County Department of Animal Services announced Thursday.

On Aug. 7, a search warrant was served at the property located in the 44000 block of Bonny Lane in Aguanga. The area is about 20 miles east of Temecula, near where highways 371 and 79 intersect.

According to RCDAS, the animals seized included horses, goats, dogs, chickens, a turkey, exotic birds, sheep, mice, reptiles, and "pet cockroaches."

"The property owner was not present and did not respond to two official notices from Animal Services posted at the property on July 31," RCDAS reported. "The conditions of some animals, coupled with the lack of on-site caretakers, resulted in the seizure.

"Ultimately, Animal Services will seek felony animal cruelty when it submits its findings to the Riverside County District Attorney?s office," the agency continued.

Further information about the property owner was not released.

The investigation stemmed from a tip from a Riverside County sheriff?s deputy who was working in the area during the Nixon Fire. The 5,222-acre blaze erupted July 29 and was finally contained Aug. 7.

At the time, the deputy was assisting with evacuation notices and spotted the Bonny Lane property. He raised concerns with RCDAS about the safety of the animals.

According to RCDAS, there were recent reports on social media platforms of dogs being willfully abandoned in the area. Some of those dogs, described as "wolf hybrids," were corralled by the public and RCDAS.

"Some of those types of dumped dogs looked similar to those found at the Aguanga property," RCDAS reported.

Almost all the seized creatures are being cared for at the county?s San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, 581 S. Grand Ave. Two animals ? a miniature horse and a sheep ? were transported to the county?s shelter at 6851 Van Buren Blvd. in Jurupa Valley. The two were believed to be a bonded pair.

"Once again, our officers are responding to animals in need and I am proud of their efforts," RCDAS Director Erin Gettis said. "This was one of the more unique investigations we?ve had, considering the wide arrange of critters now needing our assistance."

The Aguanga investigation follows multiple Coachella Valley hoarding cases investigated by RCDAS in recent weeks. Collectively, those cases led to approximately 100 dog impounds, RCDAS reported.

For more information about all animals available for adoption via RCDAS, visit rcdas.org.