Man Suspected of Hitting Dog With a Shovel
THURSDAY, June 11, 2015 – A dog that was receiving around-the-clock care after it suffered from suspected severe abuse died Wednesday night. The dog, a 3-year-old, male terrier mix, died at an Indio emergency veterinary clinic contracted by the county where it had been receiving care for major injuries since Monday night.
A man is suspected of hitting the dog over its head with a shovel more than once and tossing the dog over a fence into a neighbor’s yard. The man allegedly used the same shovel to scoop the dog up and dump into the neighbor’s property, according to witness statements.
A Riverside County Sheriff’s Department deputy and an officer with Riverside County Animal Services responded to a property in the Whitewater area, east of Cabazon, on Monday night after someone called 911. The incident happened at about 7 p.m. on Kimdale Drive, north of Interstate 10.
When Riverside County animal control officer Kyle Stephens approached the dog, it appeared motionless, except when he tried to lift him gingerly. The dog tried to nip at him. Fortunately, he said, a resident in the area had covered the dog with a blanket and Officer Stephens used the blanket to safely carry the dog to his truck.
Residents in the area described the dog as a neighborhood dog that several people cared for and provided food and water. Some called the dog “Rusty.”
Officer Stephens said “everyone was very upset and some were crying.” The dog had been hit so hard on its head that his left eye had popped out of its socket.
“I was pretty shocked by it,” Stephens said. “He looked horrible. I have never seen a dog with this type of trauma with the exception of those that have been hit by cars.”
Officer Stephens transported the dog to the VCA Animal Medical Center in Indio where veterinary professionals provided the dog intensive care.
“This dog was the victim of major trauma to the head and body,” said Dr. Allan Drusys, Riverside County’s chief veterinarian. “It is unconscionable that anyone would inflict these injures upon a defenseless dog. Unfortunately, in spite of the best medical care this dog received, he succumbed to his wounds.”
Earlier today, a Riverside County Animal Services officer transported the dog to a lab to have a necropsy performed. The department will submit a report to the District Attorney’s office seeking felony animal cruelty charges.
