In response to concerns by residents about a recent incident involving roaming dogs harming livestock in Anza, Riverside County Department of Animal Services will be patrolling the area for free-ranging dogs.
According to the Department, there will be an increased presence of Riverside County Animal Services’ officers in the Anza region.
Any free roaming dogs found will be picked up by officers. If the dogs are not wearing identification tags, are not microchipped and an owner cannot be contacted, they will be transported to a Riverside County animal shelter facility. For safety, and due to the characteristics of the landscape, it may be necessary for Animal Control officers to use tranquilizers to capture dogs.
Residents can play a role in reducing the stray dog population by making sure their pets are licensed, spayed/neutered and tagged/microchipped so that they may safely be returned home should they become lost or loose, advised the Department.
California law and a county ordinance requires that pet dogs must be secured in a yard, vaccinated for rabies and microchipped.
Additionally, Riverside County Department of Animal Services would like to ensure the following information is available to all constituents:
The Department has a full-time dedicated officer who responds to calls in Anza. Calls for service may be requested during the 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 call the Animal Services office immediately.
If stray dogs cannot be contained safely, or are a repeated nuisance, the Department has dog traps available that can be loaned out to residents 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.
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com.
