On May 1, Murrieta police responded to a report of trespassing and found a U-Haul truck parked on private property in the 4100 block of Guava Street. Upon arrival, officers heard barking coming from the vehicle’s cargo area and called Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) for assistance.
Discovery of Neglected Dogs
The responding authorities unlocked the hatch of the cargo area and found 21 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, several of them pregnant. The dogs appeared to have been neglected and had matted fur. They had limited access to water and food, and the cargo area did not have air conditioning or ventilation.
Crews removed the dogs from the truck and transferred them to the care of AFV. During the transfer, the owner of the dogs arrived at the scene in an SUV, where he had 12 additional dogs. In total, 33 dogs were involved in the case.
As a result of the discovery, the owner was arrested and now faces charges that include 21 counts of animal cruelty. All 33 dogs remain under the care of AFV, and it is unclear if or when they will be available for adoption.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
