Authorities attempt to take 50 dogs from property after owner dies

Riverside County Department of Animal Services officers impounded 14 dogs Monday from a ranch near Desert Hot Springs, and plans were in place to return Tuesday to retrieve more of a total of 50 canines running loose on the property where the owner was found dead.

Late Sunday residents of the property, located on Vee Bee Road between Dillon Road and 19th Avenue in Sky Valley, reported to authorities that they had discovered the landlord unresponsive. Responders then notified Animal Services of the dog hoarding situation after five Great Danes were said to be near the man’s body.

Most of the approximately 50 dogs are small breeds, officials said. On Monday, too many of the dogs were running loose, and Lt. Luis Rosa said he was concerned the animals could suffer heat-related injuries or die if officers continued pursuing them.

Residents at the property will give food and water to the dogs in the meantime, officials said. The residents also will try to contain the dogs to help Animal Services officers.

A sister of the deceased man gave up ownership of all the dogs, according to Animal Services.

The agency is working with animal rescue organizations to arrange transportation for the dogs, and “one of those transport missions was already in the works,” officials said. On Friday, authorities have scheduled a Wings of Rescue transport at the Riverside Municipal Airport, where dozens of dogs will be flown to a rescue facility in Utah.

“Rescue missions such as this are a vital part of our portfolio of positive outcomes” Animal Services Director Erin Gettis said in a statement. “Other states and organizations are in need of animals for adoption and it is wonderful when we can work with these community partners to make it happen.”

The rescue flight to Utah is fully funded by donations from area organizations, according to Animal Services.

The hoarding in Sky Valley marked the third such situation in Riverside County in less than two weeks. On July 11, authorities removed about 50 dogs from a property in Thermal which included a number of deceased dogs. Another 20 canines were taken from a home in Indio on July 12.