{"id":16276,"date":"2026-06-19T14:01:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=16276"},"modified":"2026-06-19T14:01:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:01:59","slug":"reche-canyon-donkey-attacks-have-stopped-investigator-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=16276","title":{"rendered":"Reche Canyon donkey attacks have stopped, investigator says"},"content":{"rendered":"

After months of speculation, the mystery behind the Reche Canyon donkey attacks seems to be solved.<\/p>

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The attacks have stopped ever since two dogs thought to be responsible for the assaults have apparently been removed from the area. About a dozen wild burros were found severely wounded earlier this year, often with deep lacerations on their ears, rumps and hind legs. Several animals had to be euthanized as a result of their injuries.<\/p>\n

Lesley Huennekens, the Riverside County Department of Animal Services field commander leading the investigation, said the last attack of a wild burro near Reche Canyon was recorded March 31 by a local resident.<\/p>\n

Animal Services identified that a large black Cane Corso and a black-and-tan shepherd mix were behind the assaults. The donkeys\u2019 wounds were consistent with domestic dog bites \u2014 wild animals typically go for the neck region rather than the hind quarters, where they risk getting kicked.<\/p>\n

Based on neighbor testimony, Huennekens said she tracked down the dogs\u2019 owner, but by the time she got there, the dogs had already been removed from the property.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that we located the person who owned these dogs,\u201d Huennekens said. \u201cUnfortunately, we were never able to locate the dogs at the home.\u201d<\/p>\n

But \u201cinterestingly enough,\u201d she said, \u201cthe attacks stopped after we visited the property.\u201d<\/p>\n

The attacks, which largely took place in a 20-square-mile area in the hills behind the Reche Canyon\u2019s preserve maintained by the nonprofit DonkeyLand, began late last year. Reche Canyon crosses county lines, stretching roughly from Colton to Moreno Valley. Officials estimate hundreds of burros live in the canyon, which has the largest population of wild donkeys in California.<\/p>

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According to DonkeyLand, more than a dozen were mauled before the end of March. Huennekens said she could only confirm about nine of those cases. Most of these animals had to be euthanized, according to previous statements from DonkeyLand.<\/p>

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DonkeyLand, a wild burro rescue and sanctuary spanning more than 2,000 acres, did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t appear that the animals were trained to harm the burros; rather, it\u2019s more likely that the animals escaped or that the owners left a gate open. Huennekens said it appears that one dog would hold the donkey by its muzzle while the other one would bite from behind. Many of the animals were yearlings, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA full-size donkey, dogs would have a hard time bringing down,\u201d she said. \u201cBut the yearlings, unfortunately, make an easier target.\u201d<\/p>

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Because Huennekens said they\u2019ve been unable to verify the perpetrators with complete certainty, she can\u2019t share any more information at this time. She asked anyone with more information to contact the department.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is still considered an open case,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s possible that the dog owner may end up back in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n

These attacks are unrelated to last year\u2019s incidents, in which several donkeys were shot with arrows. So far, Animal Services hasn\u2019t received any credible information on who might be behind those attacks.<\/p>\n

There also were reports circulating about a decapitated donkey, but because the dead animal was never reported to Animal Services or the Riverside Police Department, Huennekens said she believed those images were fake.<\/p>\n