Rescuers and volunteers petition a Court to end neglect, abuse, and summary execution of Riverside County animals
In other news: A beacon of light for animals and animal lovers; Will relying on AI cause cats to suffer more than they already do at the New York City pound? Communities are looking for someone to run their animal shelters; Best Friends is making No Kill claims contradicted by their own data; Reports of a demise in demand for plant-based foods are greatly exaggerated; Another week, another pet food recall; Vegan goldfish; Strategy to reduce stress in shelter dogs; No Kill Companion (2026 Edition).
These are some of the stories making headlines in animal protection:
Injunction sought to stop Riverside County from neglecting, abusing, and killing animals
As reported previously, a lawsuit against Riverside County alleges animal cruelty and “a shocking, callous, and ongoing failure to follow California law.” The lawsuit also alleges that the pound releases unspayed and unneutered animals, in violation of a law prohibiting it. It also asserts that taxpayer funds were wasted on the nepotistic hiring of an incompetent, unskilled pound director and on a $2.45 million contract with a consultant who has a track record of abject failure and animal harm.
In court, Riverside County officials didn’t dispute that they neglect, abuse, and kill animals. They did not dispute the release of unspayed and unneutered animals. And they didn’t dispute spending what will ultimately be millions of taxpayer dollars on the hiring of a consultant who advocates leaving animals on the street, has defended abuse and abusers, and even promoted shelters breeding dogs. Instead, they asked the Court to dismiss the case, arguing that no one should be able to hold them accountable for it. The Court rejected most of these claims (one dismissed count for waste of taxpayer funds is on appeal).
Now, the volunteers and rescuers who filed the lawsuit are seeking a preliminary injunction (an order by the Court) to compel the Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) to:
Stop killing animals who are not irremediably suffering;
Acquire additional kennels, even temporarily, to house animals;
Provide reasonable and necessary medical care, nutrition, and housing; and,
Stop releasing unspayed animals.
Petitioners base their request on:
Statistical evidence that the pound is killing, on average, 11 animals per day;
Admissions by the current director that they are killing “for space”;
Evidence, including photographs of sick and injured animals who are not receiving veterinary care or pain management; and,
The killing of healthy and treatable animals, despite rescue attempts.
In addition to being inhumane, petitioners allege that the pound’s actions are illegal, citing violations of the 1998 Animal Shelter Law (Hayden Act), including its requirement of veterinary care and humane treatment, and local ordinances that mandate pre-adoption sterilization and prohibit summary destruction of an animal unless vicious or irremediably suffering. Petitioners allege that “irreparable harm” to animals will result if the injunction is denied, up to and including death of animals.
The court is scheduled to hear the motion on February 10.
A beacon of light for animals and animal lovers
In 2025, Fremont County, CO, achieved a 98% placement rate for dogs, 98% for cats, and 100% for rabbits and other animals.
The Humane Society of Fremont County, which runs the open-admission shelter, is so committed to saving every animal that Doug Rae, its director, called it a “decent year” despite challenges, including a hoarding case involving dozens of cats in very poor condition: “Terrified. Neglected. Broken. Some so sick they can barely open their eyes. Others carrying the weight of untreated infections, tumors... All of them in pain. All of them in desperate need of hope.” At HSFC, they received more than hope. They received medicine, surgery, love, and loving new homes.
So why are so many others satisfied with less?
Will relying on AI cause cats to suffer more than they already do at the New York City pound?
