Crime & Safety
'There Are 7 In One Crate!' 30+ Dogs Found Inside U-Haul, Temecula Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty
"OMG, there are over seven in this one crate!" an officer said after finding a U-haul truck filled with small dogs. Here's what happened.
MURRIETA, CA —A woman, found with more than 33 dogs in cruel conditions, was arrested in May and has been charged with a total of 21 felony counts of animal cruelty by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. All of the rescued Cavalier King Charles Spaniels remain in the custody of the Lake Elsinore Animal Friends shelter, where they are being rehabilitated.
See the full video of the recovery and arrest below.
Merle Tucker, 72, was arrested after she arrived at the scene. She is due in Murrieta Court on July 2 to answer 22 charges of cruelty to animals and two misdemeanor charges of willfully abandoning an animal and leaving an animal unattended and confined inside a vehicle, according to court records.
On May 1, officers arrived at the 41000 block of Guava Street on a routine call for service, the department shared. That call devolved into a "significant animal cruelty situation," the department shared in a recent news release. There, they found a U-Haul trailer and heard barking. Inside, there were over 30 Cavalier dogs in deplorable conditions, including one crate with seven dogs, according to live bodycam footage released after the incident.
"Upon arrival, officers discovered a 15-foot U-Haul truck parked on private property containing 21 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels confined within the vehicle’s enclosed cargo area," Murrieta Police Officer Matt Schmidt said. "The cargo compartment lacked ventilation and air conditioning, and many of the dogs appeared neglected, exhibiting matted fur and limited access to food and water."
She told officers that she had to leave her home, and that the U-Haul was the only place she could keep them, according to Schmidt.
At least one of the female dogs was determined to be pregnant, and officers learned the animals had been left inside the enclosed vehicle for several hours.
As Animal Control officers worked to safely remove the dogs from the truck, a woman arrived in her vehicle with an additional 12 dogs, according to police footage. It was not immediately clear what led her to the scene that evening.
"I'm getting arrested?" she asked as officers detained her and informed her they would discuss it later. She was arrested on charges related to animal cruelty, animal abandonment, and leaving animals unattended in a vehicle.
All 33 dogs were safely recovered and transported to Animal Friends of the Valley in Lake Elsinore, where they received veterinary evaluation and ongoing care. They remain in the care and custody of Animal Friends of the Valley as they continue their recovery and rehabilitation.
The Murrieta Police Department extends its appreciation to Friends of AFV and community members whose assistance helped bring this incident to light and ensured the safety and well-being of the animals involved. This investigation remains ongoing.
Tucker is listed as the owner of Castle Creek Cavaliers in Temecula. Her website shows she is an American Kennel Club breeder of merit. The last litter of puppies was listed in 2024. Patch has requested her comments.
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