19 Dogs Die, Dozens Suffer In Extreme Heat When RivCo Owner Falls Ill

THERMAL, CA — Nearly two dozen dogs died and as many more were rescued suffering from heat exposure and starvation Thursday in Thermal after the property owner became gravely ill and abandoned them.

Riverside County Department of Animal Services officials saved as many animals as they could in 120-heat Thursday afternoon. More than three dozen dogs had been left at a property in the 88-000 block of Avenue 61, adjacent to a farm, according to the animal services department.

Nineteen dogs died and roughly 20 dogs were taken to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms in very poor condition.

"Many are emaciated and weak," according to Department of Animal Services spokesman John Welsh. "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."

Most of the dogs that died suffered from heat exposure in confined conditions, malnutrition, and lack of water.

While some of the animals had been locked in rooms or crates, others were found roaming freely on the property, which was overrun with trash and debris, added Welsh. The interior of the house was filled with clutter and a strong odor of urine.

Warning: These images may be disturbing.

"Awful, just awful," Department of Animal Services Deputy Director Jackie Schart said. "These dogs are so weak, so emaciated, so starved. There were dogs in crates with dead dogs. Just terrible."

Officers learned that the owner suffered a grave health complication and was hospitalized, leaving no one to care for the dogs.

"It's understood that the man is in critical condition and may not survive," Welsh said, adding that such circumstances cancel the likelihood of cruelty charges being sought against the owner, whose identity was not disclosed.

A relative of the man agreed to sign a release in his stead, relinquishing the remaining dogs to county custody.

The Department of Animal Services is seeking assistance from partner rescue organizations to help care for the creatures. Those that survive and stage recoveries may be available for adoption. But Welsh noted the animal campus is already under pressure and needs the canines currently housed at the facility to be adopted to make space.

"There are more than 200 dogs at the shelter currently —and only 84 kennel runs," the agency spokesman said.

Anyone interested in adopting can visit the shelter or view homeless pets at rcdas.org.

City News Service contributed to this report