IE Wild Burros Under Attack in 'Triangle Of Death,' Reward Sought For Information

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Inland Empire's wild burros have been the target of vicious animal attacks this year, says Donkeyland, the nonprofit tasked with helping rescue and protect them. "Somebody knows something!" a social outreach from the nonprofit pleaded, as yet another wild burro suffered an animal attack and was brought to them for care and treatment.

Now, Donkeyland is offering a $10,000 reward for information regarding crimes against the wild animals, saying, "Someone knows something!"

At least 10 burros have died thus far this year, all bearing disfiguring bite marks that are more similar to dogs than mountain lions or other predators, according to reports.

Along with normal wild burro care, such as a recent incident involving a burro injured while crossing a cattle guard, the attacks are the most disturbing, said Dr. Juan Castellanos of the SoCal Equine Hospital.

The first burro attack happened in late December, with two more in January. The Donkeyland social media pages are rife with graphic burro pictures depicting injured animals. The injuries are not a "quick kill" type of wound, which would focus on vital organs.

"These behaviors we're seeing are not typical of wild animals," Castellanos told reporters.

Veronica Perez, spokesperson for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, told Patch that they have been monitoring the situation.

"We are aware of the recent attacks on wild burros in Reche Canyon and our animal control officers are patrolling areas with reported activity," Perez told Patch. The investigation into the cause of these incidents remains ongoing and is under coordination with Donkeyland and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"Since Thursday, Feb. 19, we have responded to four reports of injured burros and supported the transport of two injured burros to SoCal Equine," she said. "On Wednesday, Feb. 25, our animal control officers tracked and captured an injured burro that was transported by Donkeyland to SoCal Equine for medical evaluation and care."

On Sunday, Feb. 15, Riverside County Animal Services responded to an injured burro whose injuries warranted humane euthanasia at the site of the incident to prevent unnecessary suffering, Perez said.

The latest attack was reported on Saturday, when a free-roaming wild burro was found with multiple bite marks and brought to the burro rescue.

"We recommend community members in the area ensure their pets or livestock are secure and report unusual activity," she said. "Residents should never approach wildlife, and we ask that they call our call center at (951) 358-7387 to report injured burro sightings. All incoming calls during closed hours will go to the after-hours line for emergencies."

Donkeyland is offering a reward for information on the recent attacks, which they say are not the result of natural predator-prey interactions.

Attacks have occurred in the area Donkeyland has coined on social media as the“Triangle of Death.”

"Please be extra careful if you live in this area. Keep a close watch on your children and animals, and stay alert to your surroundings," they said. "Your safety and theirs come first."

Donations for the animals' care and treatment are sought at Website: www.donkeyland.org.