2 Dogs Removed From Cabazon Home After Viral Video Shows Animal Abuse

CABAZON, CA — Authorities removed two dogs from a Cabazon property Thursday after a viral video released the day before showed a person beating one of them.

In the early morning hours, a Riverside County Animal Control Officer, with assistance from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, arrived to place the dogs on a confinement hold, according to Veronica Perez, spokesperson for the Riverside County Animal Services department. The hold was due to the images released in that video, according to Perez.

"This is in response to a social media video where a dog was seen being repeatedly hit and thrown by an individual," Perez said.

The video was disturbing enough to bring all county authorities to quick action. Patch has decided not to show it, though the clip quickly went viral on Wednesday.

In the viral video, a man is seen grabbing dog in a yard in Cabazon. The man strikes the animal multiple times and then throws it to the ground. A second dog is also visible in the video. Both of the recorded canines were found at the residence.

"The department is actively coordinating care during the mandated fourteen-day confiscation hold," Perez said. "The confiscated dogs will not be available for placement during the department’s investigation."

Perez shared photos of the dogs in her news release.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with more information is asked to contact the department directly.

"While this investigation continues, RCDAS is asking the community to help other shelter pets in need," she said.

The department's shelters are currently operating at 230% capacity, creating an urgent need for adopters and foster families.

"Every adoption opens space for another animal in need," she added. "Fostering gives shelter pets a temporary place to stay while creating critical kennel space."

For more information on adoption and fostering, visit www.rcdas.org.