Search continues for missing dogs after shelter break-in

Seven dogs set loose or carried off during a break-in at the county’s Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter remained missing today, while authorities confirmed that a total of four canines died as a result of the burglary.

Riverside County Department of Animal Services officials said initial reports that a dozen dogs had gone missing Sunday stemmed from a miscount. The actual number was 10, according to agency spokesman John Welsh.

He said that early this morning, one of the missing canines, a pit bull, was found dead, though it wasn’t clear how the animal died. A pit bull mix and a Labrador retriever were recovered alive last night.

The pit bull’s death followed three other burglary-related fatalities. According to Welsh, shelter workers found a dead Yorkshire terrier mix and a dead Chihuahua inside the kennel Sunday morning, and a German shepherd was hit by a car after being turned out of the facility, located at 6851 Van Buren Blvd. Officials had not yet confirmed how the smaller canines died.

According to Welsh, locks on 22 kennel doors were forcibly broken late Saturday night, or during the predawn hours Sunday. Surveillance video reportedly showed a man in dark clothing enter the facility. Welsh said a motive for the break-in and acts of “animal cruelty” remained unclear.

“Sometimes, someone might want to break in to get their dog out without having to pay impound fees or fines, but I don’t recall anything like this,” he said earlier.

Sheriff’s deputies were handling the investigation.

Anyone with information was urged to contact the sheriff’s Jurupa Valley station at (951) 955-2600.