Stray packs of wild dogs are slaughtering livestock and pets in the Anza Valley, causing residents to wonder if children are next.
It has been reported that dozens of abandoned dogs are packing up and causing havoc in recent months. Hundreds of sheep, goats, poultry and pets have succumbed to attacks from groups of feral canines. These dogs are large breed animals such as German shepherds, pit bulls and other potentially aggressive breeds, capable of the full-scale destruction of defenseless livestock even in their secured pens.
“I moved to Anza to live my dream of becoming a stay-at-home rancher and farmer,” Sadie Armand said. “Never did I think that I would have to watch my two goats be slaughtered by wild dogs. They were killed for pure fun in broad daylight, in front of my husband and I by a pack of feral dogs. I never thought that I would walk to my chicken coop to find my whole flock with their heads ripped off, dead. To think that I would have to live looking over my shoulders 24/7 to see if I notice a pack of dogs. Living in silence and paranoia I sit here day to day in fear of Anza’s feral dogs. I look forward to the day where I don’t have to worry and be scared for myself, my livestock and my community.”
According to social media tabulations, hundreds of animals have been attacked by the packs of dogs, apparently for sport.
“I want to point out this is not just about feral dogs and livestock,” one resident said. “In part, people are devastated because the animals that were brutally killed depended on them and trusted them and the people feel as if they have betrayed that trust.”
Dogs are man’s best friend and one of the world’s most popular pets, companions and helpers. But due to their predatory nature, canines can become aggressive, especially if they feel threatened or think their territory is being jeopardized. However, when dogs get loose, this aggression may escalate. Strays can get into major trouble, damaging another person’s property, killing or maiming farm animals, becoming hazards for motorists and starting fights with other dogs.
Are children next?
A recent attack in which dozens of goats were killed by dogs occurred near Anza’s Hamilton Schools.
Residents are asking, “Is my child in danger?”
The answer may be yes. Michael Brown reported that his 8-year-old son was attacked by a loose dog last summer.
“We were all out playing in the yard and my son went to one of our fifth-wheel trailers to get something and all the sudden he came running and screaming,” he said. “This big dog was chasing him, growling and barking and trying to attack him. I’ve got four little kids and these stray dogs are constantly in the yard barking at them and I’m afraid one of these times they’re going to attack my kids.”
In 2018, a woman suffered serious injuries and had to be airlifted to a hospital when she was attacked and mauled by three dogs in Anza. She later succumbed to her injuries. The victim was on her own property, hanging laundry, when the three loose dogs – which belonged to a neighbor and were allowed to be aggressive and range freely – attacked her. All three dogs were later destroyed by Riverside County Animal Services.
Terwilliger resident Edi Kandel said that she witnessed an attack on a grown man near the Village in Anza as she was passing by in her truck. Thinking quickly, she turned the truck around, blew the horn repeatedly and allowed the man to jump into her truck as she sped him to safety.
Residents’ frustration is reaching a frenzied pitch, as attacks are becoming an almost daily occurrence as reported on local social media groups. The Riverside County Animal Services Department has been accused by some residents of ignoring the issue, despite officers appearing at almost every public Anza Valley Municipal Advisory Committee meeting to offer updates and information. They have been willing to answer questions in person at these meetings, but the gatherings are poorly attended by the public. The AVMAC holds their in-person meetings at the Anza Community Hall every other month. Riverside County Animal Services Lt. Leslie Huennekens and Commander Josh Sisler have been consistently available at these meetings to field questions, offer information and talk one-on-one with concerned residents.
“Ensuring the health and safety of our residents in Anza and surrounding unincorporated communities is of paramount importance,” Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington said to the Anza Valley Outlook in a statement Friday, March 24. “Animal Services has my full support while they work diligently to minimize this ongoing concern to public safety. We advise residents to remain vigilant and report any sightings to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.”
The alleged cannabis connection
Local animal rescues claim that the packs of vicious dogs are originating from the pot grows that are abundant all over the Anza Valley. These groups have reportedly received a number of dogs from cannabis farms. “Pot grow dogs” are seemingly becoming an issue where marijuana is cultivated illegally in many areas of the state.
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told The Epoch Times recently that during eradication of an illegal site, commonly known as grows, deputies often encounter “poor treatment of dogs,” which are used to guard the sites from intruders. According to LaRue, the dogs are chained without food and water, and many are emaciated with ribs showing, have collars that are too tight, have skin lesions, or are mutilated.
When the growing season is over, many of the dogs are simply left behind to fend for themselves, according to animal rescuers.
Stray dog behavior is dangerous
Dogs are predators and have an instinctive prey drive or impulse to hunt and kill. Some breeds of dogs have higher drives than others. For instance, German shepherds, Irish wolfhounds, Airedales and Bull Terriers are all famous for wanting to chase little furry animals and this sometimes translates to larger farm animals like sheep, goats and even cattle and horses.
A high prey-driven dog can and will get into trouble when faced with other loose animals, livestock or even a small child that is squealing and running. Instinct kicks in and to the dog, prey must be chased and caught. What they do when they catch the prey differs with each dog. If there is a group of dogs running together in a pack, it becomes a competition and that is even more dangerous.
Disaster almost always occurs if dogs are set on their own and become feral, hunting for food. They can group together and take on a pack mentality. Some become isolated, skittish and a danger to neighborhood children, farm animals, pets and even motorists as they run the risk of an accident avoiding a collision with the loose dog. These animals become wild and wary of human contact and must often be trapped and destroyed by county animal services.
Sadly, rogue dogs have been failed by their owners, and once they attack, their elimination may be the only way to ensure the safety of a rural community. Even adult humans have the potential of being chased or bitten by an unknown loose and combative dog or group of dogs.
Solutions – are they enough?
While most people dread the thought of harming any animal, attacking stray dogs can be destroyed. California law allows a person to shoot and kill raiding dogs that are attacking livestock, pets or people. Owners, if they can be identified, are ultimately responsible for any harm their dogs cause and must make amends financially. But Anza’s issue is unique, as most of the stray dogs have no owners.
Several residents have presented the idea of a hunting posse to search out and destroy any and all loose dogs. But this is a fine line, according to animal services. While the law allows for desense of your property, stock, pets and family members, the department does not condone hunting parties.
Riverside County Department of Animal Services director Erin Gettis announced that the department is offering stray dog assistance for Anza residents in a press release dated Thursday, March 23.
According to the department, there are multiple actions that can be taken to help animal services serve the citizens of the Anza community.
First, ensure that your own pets are spayed or neutered to discourage the desire for them to escape and roam or prevent them from attracting other animals in the neighborhood. Do not leave food out or feed stray dogs.
Please make sure pets are licensed, wearing an identification tag and microchipped, so that animal services can return them safely home if they become lost. Pets with identification can often be returned home without having to come to the shelter. California law and a county ordinance requires that dogs must be secured in a yard, vaccinated for rabies and microchipped.
The department has a full-time dedicated officer who responds to calls in Anza. Calls for services can be requested during normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 951-358-7387. If a stray can be safely contained, please contain them, and contact their office immediately.
If stray dogs cannot be contained safely, or are a repeated nuisance, the department has dog traps available that can be loaned. These traps are free of charge with all supplies included. An officer will help set up the trap and pick it up when no longer needed. Please contact animal services at 951-358-7387 to request a trap. Please call or email shelterinfo@rivco.org with any questions or concerns.
Assume all strange dogs are threats. Do not approach unknown animals.
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com.
