A criminal investigation is underway into a Southern California dog rescue where 114 canines were seized in mid-July by San Bernardino County Animal Care.
County officials said the dogs, primarily large and aggressive pit bulls with severe health issues, were housed in “inadequate conditions” at the over-capacity kennel run by the Woofy Acres rescue operation in Pinon Hills.
Because of their declining health and aggression, 93 dogs have been euthanized, while 19 others have been placed. Two dogs —Rosie, a female pit bull terrier, and Dodi, a female shepherd mix — remain available for adoption at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino, said county animal care spokesperson Francis Delapaz.
Delapaz declined to give more information, citing the ongoing investigation, which will be turned over upon completion to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal charges.
Woofy Acres and its founder, Dianne Bedford, made headlines earlier this year after they were accused of abandoning 32 dogs — many from Orange County — at a Rowland Heights kennel in Los Angeles County. Eleven of those dogs remain at the Shanderin Kennel.
Dog rescues theoretically take animals from shelters and find them homes with the public or house them in kennels until they can be placed.
Strong reaction
News of the San Bernardino County investigation brought strong reaction from animal advocates.
“(Bedford) needs to never pull dogs again,” said Heather McDermott-Perez, a volunteer with Orange County Animal Care. “There’s no denying those dogs were neglected.”
Orange County Animal Care has released a total of 149 dogs to Woofy Acres, with the last placement in January.
Lauren Cardona, co-founder of Saving Devore Dogs, said one dog seized by San Bernardino County, named “Checkers,” was emaciated.
“It was literally like looking at a skeleton with skin over it,” said Cardona, noting that the Woofy Acres site in Pinon Hills “was in the middle of the desert. I don’t know how these dogs didn’t die.”
Bedford did not respond to an email seeking comment on the San Bernardino County investigation. Her phone was not accepting voicemails.
Delinquent status
Woofy Acres was formed as a nonprofit in 2017, but has a delinquent status with the state Attorney General’s Office, which means the group cannot solicit or disburse donations.
On the group’s website, Bedford said she founded the rescue out of a love for dogs and a “strong desire to save them from the cold, noisy, scary environment associated with shelter care.”
She wrote that she quickly learned that rescues were disorganized and bound in red tape.
“I must have attempted to contact no less than two dozen rescues, but to no avail,” wrote Bedford.
Related Articles
Would you clone your favorite pet? California man did it — twice
Mountain lion grabs boy’s head at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas
Colorado ‘mega den’ of rattlesnakes is growing — and you can see it on live video
Can dogs ‘talk’ to humans? A UC San Diego study offers an intriguing clue
Saddle up! Here’s how you can ride horses throughout Southern California
According to the website, “Our mission at Woofy Acres is to help reduce the suffering of shelter dogs and eliminate the risk of being euthanized by rescuing our furry friends and providing them a temporary home while awaiting a loving adoptive forever home.
“We strive to make finding your new family member a seamless process. We offer fostering and mentoring opportunities to individuals and families while they decide if adoption is the best choice for them.”
Woofy Acres Inc.’s IRS filing for 2023 shows the group collected $208,890 that year but spent $212,798, running $3,908 in the red. The single largest expenses were $68,348 for boarding and $54,201 for “other.”
Bedford reported she worked 30 hours a week and did not receive a salary.
Leave a Reply