21 Severely Neglected Dogs Abandoned at the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter

MORENO VALLEY >> Just after midnight on March 18, twenty-one small dogs (in crates) were abandoned outside the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter. The dogs are all small breeds including Toy Poodles, Maltese, Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers ranging from approximately 2 to 12 years of age and suffering from varying degrees of neglect and malnutrition. The City asks residents to open their hearts - and their homes - to these small pets. All have received care and are ready for immediate adoption. Steve Fries, Manager of the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter said, "These dogs were dumped off on a night when the temperature dipped to 49 degrees and they were so malnourished that they had no body fat to keep them warm. Dogs were stuffed three and four to a small crate and the larger dogs were trampling the smaller dogs." Moreno Valley Animal Services conducted an investigation, assisted by the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, into the abandonment and neglect of the dogs. The investigation revealed that the dogs' owners reside in the unincorporated community of Nuevo and that the individuals who abandoned the dogs at the Shelter are related to the owners and are residents of Moreno Valley. A criminal complaint has been filed with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. "Although these dogs suffered greatly, they have made tremendous progress in response to receiving medical care and support provided by the staff at the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter. These dogs are all very sweet, loving and happy and they greet everyone they meet with a friendly tail wag. The dogs have been groomed and have put on weight since they arrived at the Shelter and are now available to be adopted into loving homes," Fries later said. These twenty-one dogs are featured on the "Pets of the Week" video segment, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/TqHEnK8K-Jo.