In a disturbing turn of events, Mary Bernadette Schwenn, the owner of a dog camp in Thousand Palms, has been arrested on charges of animal cruelty. The arrest occurred early Monday morning at her property, located at an unincorporated parcel near Thousand Palms Canyon and Dillon roads. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services, which has been investigating since April, made the arrest following a troubling discovery about the conditions in which approximately 20 dogs were being kept.
According to John Welsh, a spokesperson for the department, the property lacked basic necessities such as proper fencing, adequate housing, and sufficient services for the animals. Schwenn has faced multiple citations and notices of violation for inadequate care, including not having a proper kennel. The situation escalated when one of the dogs suffered a prolonged uterus infection and had to be euthanized due to the lack of proper medical care provided by Schwenn.
Local resident Kitty Pallesen, who has known Schwenn for over five years, shared harrowing details of the conditions she witnessed during her visits to the property. She described seeing the dogs without water or food, especially troubling during days when temperatures soared above 100 degrees. Pallesen’s efforts to provide daily sustenance were met with desperate scrambles and fights among the starving dogs.
In one particularly distressing account, Pallesen recalled finding a female dog in dire condition, bleeding severely and evidently neglected. The veterinary assessment confirmed the grim state of the animal, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
If convicted, Schwenn faces a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty and could be prohibited from owning any dogs for five years. Meanwhile, a friend of Schwenn’s has temporarily taken over the care of the remaining dogs, with animal services stepping in to ensure they receive the necessary food and water.
The local community and national rescue groups have been actively involved, with some advocating daily for better conditions for the dogs. The case has drawn significant attention, with many hoping for a just resolution that prioritizes the welfare of the animals. Schwenn is set to be arraigned on September 3 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, as concerned citizens and animal advocates await further developments.
Check out the article here:
https://patch.com/california/palmdesert/thousand-palms-dog-camp-owner-arrested-on-animal-cruelty-charges
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