Riverside Community Anguished as Donkey Killings Escalate; $50,000 Reward Announced

Riverside Community Shocked by Surge in Donkey Attacks

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Riverside community is grappling with increasing alarm following a series of violent donkey attacks, with recent discussions among local residents highlighting urgent calls for action. At a community meeting on Monday night, approximately 200 residents expressed their concerns, but Riverside County has yet to form a formal task force to address the issue.

The focus of the investigation is on whether the deaths of at least 21 donkeys, including a notable 13 attacks recorded this year, stem from human actions or wildlife predation. The brutality of the incidents has sparked outrage, with reports detailing gruesome acts such as donkeys being shot with arrows and even beheaded.

Experts in the field are voicing their alarm. Chad Cheatham from DonkeyLand Rescue and Abigail Ware, a resident physician at Loma Linda Pathology, noted that the injuries appear intentionally inflicted. “If it was an animal, you would expect to see raggedy edges, but these are very clean surgical lines,” Ware stated, emphasizing the nature of the wounds.

Community sentiment is not uniform, as law enforcement officials have suggested alternative explanations. Lt. Leslie Hunnekens of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services remarked, “It’s not necessarily animal cruelty… It could be stray feral dogs,” though she conceded that the situation is “horrific.”

Local activists are advocating for the formation of a dedicated task force, arguing that the precision of the attacks indicates human involvement rather than wild animal behavior.

Timeline of Events:

• September 2025: DonkeyLand seeks public assistance after six donkeys in Moreno Valley are shot with arrows.
• Late 2025: "Cupid," a 2-year-old donkey, is rescued with an arrow lodged in her thoracic region and receives treatment.
• Monday Night: About 200 community members gather in Riverside to demand accountability from local officials.
• Tuesday: Despite ongoing pressure, no formal task force has been established.

In response to these incidents, a $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Those with relevant information are urged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Moreno Valley station at 951-955-2400 or the Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387.

The rising attacks have underscored a significant community concern, calling attention to the need for immediate action to safeguard local wildlife.