House In Thermal Went To The Dogs; 40 Pups Rescued, 19 Dead From Malnutrition, Heat

Riverside County Animal Services officers have rescued more than 40 dogs from a property in Thermal.

The officers found the dogs at a home on Avenue 61 Thursday afternoon July 11th 2024.

A neighbor had called for help, saying the owner of the property was gone, and there were lots of dogs.

When officers arrived, they found some dogs running around, others in rooms, and still others locked in crates.

They also found 19 dead dogs.

Twenty dogs in poor health and emaciated,  were immediately taken to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms for treatment.  There are 2-hundred dogs there now, and only 84 kennels.

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

Lt. Luis Rosa of Animal Services says  the remote property was overrun with debris and trash and the home was cluttered and had a  strong odor of urine, describing it as as one of the worst they’ve seen in years.

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

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.   

Riverside County Animal Control Officer Rescue 40 dogs from a home in Thermal July 11th 2024

Photo from Riverside County Animal Services Dept