Fourth Dog Found Dead Following Break-In at Shelter

Riverside County animal officials say a fourth dog has been found dead following a weekend break-in at the Jurupa Valley shelter, where dozens of dogs ran loose after being released from their kennels.

The news came as animal organizations, including START Rescue and Animal Solutions Konnection Foundation, announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible for the break-in.

At some point between Saturday night or early Sunday, someone entered the shelter at 6851 Van Buren Blvd. and broke 22 kennel locks. Dozens of dogs ran out into the parking lots. When works arrived, they scrambled to get most of them back into the shelter.

"Fortunately, one of our fast-thinking employees used his car to slowly corral some of the loose dogs back in behind the employee gate," said John Welsh, spokesman for the Riverside County Animal Services.

Workers also found in the parking lot pools of blood and two dogs dead - a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire terrier.

In the next 24 hours, two more dogs - a German shepherd and a pit bull mix - were found dead in nearby streets, presumably struck by cars.

As of Monday, seven dogs remained unaccounted for.

Sheriff's investigators are looking at surveillance video that is so far not being released. The broken locks were dusted for fingerprints.

A lab mix and a pit bull that were found appeared to be OK.

“Its stunning what happened for our employees here,” Welsh said. “They’re pissed off, they’re shocked and they’re all shaking their heads. Who would do this? Why would you do this?”

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