3 dogs dead, 13 missing after break-in at California animal shelter

JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. -- Three dogs were dead and at least 13 dogs were missing or unaccounted for Sunday morning after a suspect broke into the Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley.

The latches of the kennels at the shelter in the 6800 block of Van Buren Boulevard were deliberately cut, according to spokesman John Welsh. He believes the dogs were released on purpose.

Welsh said two dogs were killed in the shelter. After a veterinary examination, it was determined that the two dogs, a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire terrier, were not killed by larger dogs that were also let loose.

"All told, 22 of our kennel runs were broken into. We found blood splatter everywhere. There were some blood markings that were about three feet off the ground," Welsh said. "We don't know exactly what caused that, but we don't suspect that an animal jumped into the air and caused that blood splatter."

A German shepherd was found dead about a mile from the shelter. Authorities believe it may have been hit by a car and is one of the dogs reported missing.

One of the pets that died was microchipped and had just been brought to the shelter by a Good Samaritan Saturday.

The shelter was working with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and reviewing surveillance footage in hopes of finding possible leads in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.