Murrieta, California – According to a June 9 press release from the Murietta Police Department, a routine May 1 trespassing call in the 41000 block of Guava Street led to the discovery of nearly two dozen dogs in an abandoned U-Haul truck.
The authorities said the 15-foot trailer held 21 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who were confined within the vehicle’s enclosed cargo area. The cargo compartment lacked ventilation and air conditioning, and many of the dogs appeared neglected, exhibiting matted fur and limited access to food and water.
Animal control officers worked to remove the dogs from the U-Haul truck and eventually, the dogs’ owner showed up with an SUV containing an additional 12 dogs, bringing the total number of animals involved to 33.
Based on the circumstances of the investigation, police arrested the dogs’ owner on charges related to animal cruelty, animal abandonment, and leaving animals unattended in a vehicle. All 33 dogs were safely recovered and transported to Animal Friends of the Valley in Lake Elsinore, where they received veterinary evaluation and ongoing care.
On May 27, 2026, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office formally filed 21 felony counts of animal cruelty (Penal Code 597), along with two misdemeanor charges against the suspect. The 33 dogs remain in the care and custody of Animal Friends of the Valley as they continue their recovery and rehabilitation.
Note: The suspect’s identity has not been publicly revealed.
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10 Comments
He/she should be lock in the back of a U-Haul for the same amount of time and never be able to have pets again
AGREED!!
He/she should be lock in the back of a U-Haul for the same amount of time and never be able to have pets again
YES, LOCK HER UP IN THE U HAUL, NO WATER, NO COOL,NO FOOD, NOTHING!
THEN ROLL HER OVER TO JAIL!
HAPPY THESE DOGS ARE GOING TO BE FINE!
HEY TUCKER-WITH A NAME LIKE TUCKER-WHY ARE YOU STATING THIS MONSTER IS A WOMAN???HUH???STATISTICALLY MILLIONS MORE MEN ABUSE ANIMALS THAN ALL OF US WOMEN TOGETHER DO-IN FACT WE WOMEN GENERALLY R-E-S-C-U-E THEM.
Backyard breeders are the dregs of our society. They couldn’t care less about the welfare or safety of the animals and prove it time and time again. Why is it a debatable issue on what needs done about this filth that lives in our society and makes money off the backs of those they abuse? All of them need to have SERIOUS consequences and be shut down permanently!!
That’s a damn backyard breeder! Lock him in a trailer with no air. One less POS we have to pay to support (in jail).
We need to put these backyard dog breeders out of business permanently. They’re no better than dog fighting rings. They always travel and leave their animals and hot horrid conditions. This man needs to go to jail and stay there for a long time. He should never be allowed to be around animals again. This is why the national animal abuse registry is so important in all 50 states!!
i would like to lick him in a cage and put the cage in the back of a uhaul and leave him there to live or die hopefully he dies
We need to put these backyard dog breeders out of business permanently. They’re no better than dog fighting rings. They always travel and leave their animals and hot horrid conditions. This man needs to go to jail and stay there for a long time. He should never be allowed to be around animals again. This is why the national animal abuse registry is so important in all 50 states!!