Four Chihuahuas Allegedly Stabbed, Two Die, Two Euthanized

Four chihuahua mix dogs were allegedly stabbed in Riverside over the weekend, two of them died, two sustained injuries so severe they were euthanized, and police were conducting an animal cruelty investigation, according to a county Animal Services spokesman.

Animal Services personnel responded the morning of Jan. 26 to a home in the 2000 block of Vermont Avenue in the Eastside neighborhood, Animal Services spokesman John Welsh said in a statement.

"Riverside Police officers were already at the property where the owner had reported that four of his dogs had been apparently stabbed," Welsh said.

The alleged attacks on the dogs happened sometime during the night or early morning hours Sunday, Welsh said.

"The dog owner told authorities he had a recent run-in with a man that he described as a transient," Welsh said. "The man and the dog owner argued and the man threatened him by saying he was going to "come back.'"

Here's more from Welsh's statement:

Animal Control Officer Dylan Gates recovered two dogs that had already died from injuries. The owner of the dogs took two of the injured pets inside his home, but the injuries were so severe that Officer Gates suggested that they be signed over for humane euthanasia.

Officer Gates transported the four dogs - all Chihuahua mixes - to the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley. A Riverside County Animal Services veterinarian will perform necropsies on all four of the dogs, as is standard for animal cruelty investigations.

Animal Services personnel were working in conjunction with the Riverside Police Department on the investigation, Welsh said.