Animal control officers are asking for the public's help finding two dogs -- and possibly their owner -- responsible for fatally mauling a wild burro in Reche Canyon.
Animal control officers Friday were asking for the public's help finding two dogs -- and possibly their owner -- responsible for fatally mauling a wild burro in Reche Canyon in one of a string of attacks that began last year.
"Because of a resident's quick action filming and reporting the incident to us, we are now looking for the public's help to find these two dogs,'' Riverside County Department of Animal Services Commander Lesley Huennekens said. "We have shared what we know with our partner agencies, as we continue our investigation, and we ask the public to contact our call center when they have information to share.'' A black-and-tan German shepherd mix and a large black Cane Corso attacked the donkey Tuesday along Keissel Road north of Moreno Valley, nearly to the boundary separating Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to the Department of Animal Services.The alert passerby captured the mauling via camera phone, submitting video and pictures to the county for evidence. Animal control officers scoured the area after, but couldn't find the dogs. It was unclear whether their owner was anywhere nearby at the time. Last month, a $50,000 award for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible for the attacks was posted by the Riverside-based nonprofit DonkeyLand. Huennekens' and DonkeyLand representatives said in multiple instances, burros' ears and tails have been ripped to shreds; in other cases, their genitalia and other body parts were mangled. Most of the injured donkeys have been euthanized due to the extreme wounds. A total 22 wild burros have been targeted. Fourteen attacks have occurred in the last 10 weeks. Of the 22, only four have been successfully treated and saved. In addition to the animal-on-animal bloodletting, six donkeys have been shot with arrows. However, the abuse of burros singled out for live target practice has occurred repeatedly over the past two decades, with no arrests.The burros number in the hundreds and congregate throughout Reche Canyon between Moreno Valley and Redlands, as well as everywhere around Box Springs Mountain in Moreno Valley and Riverside, freely wandering municipal streets, even sleeping in the yards outside homes. Chad Cheatham, vice president of DonkeyLand, said during a community meeting last week that he was shocked to discover the "whole industry of trainers dogs as bite protection dogs.'' Anyone who may be able to help with the investigations was urged to call the Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387, or the Sheriff's Department at 951-776-1099.Copyright © 2026 by City News Service, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wind-driven Crown fire spreads to 250 acres in Acton, threatening structuresFirefighters responded before 11:30 a.m. Friday to North Crown Valley Road and Soledad Canyon Road.
Read more »
Henry County man convicted in animal cruelty case after 80 dogs seized from homeMarty Eis was convicted on more than a dozen counts of cruelty to companion animals.
Read more »
CDC warns about 'rhino tranq,' a mix of fentanyl and animal sedative that resists overdose reversalFentanyl alone is dangerous enough, but now comes a warning about 'rhino tranq,' which is fentanyl laced with the animal sedative medetomidine, making it even more lethal. Adding to the danger, it doesn't respond to overdose reversal medications.
Read more »
Canyon Lake businesses brace for drought as fluctuating water levels threaten tourismCanyon Lake businesses that rely on local residents and tourists are facing growing uncertainty as water levels fluctuate amid a significant drought.Some restau
Read more »
Netflix’s 10-Part Cowboy Western Series Is Perfect for a Weekend BingeJosh Duhamel in Ransom Canyon
Read more »
Artemis astronauts catch first human glimpse of Moon’s 'Grand Canyon'Crew peers at the massive Orientale basin during historic lunar flyby, seeing regions of the Moon never viewed by human eyes.
Read more »