Note from Editor: Charlotte Spadaro allegedly works with Diane Carey, South Central Stray Rescue kennel AKA 61st street kennels that is now completely shut down. All of the dogs are gone to an undisclosed location in Riverside.
Officers Seize 29 Animals From
Riverside Property;
One Dog Found Dead
Among the Neglected
-from the Riverside Department of Animal Services
Friday, April 23, 2010, RIVERSIDE – Officers seized 29 animals from a Riverside property today (April 23) where most of them were living in substandard and neglected conditions.
Captain Tammie Belmonte took the lead on what is suspected to be an animal cruelty investigation. Of the 29 animals confiscated, one was a female cat, plus four kittens she was nursing.
One dog was found dead inside a trailer in the rear of the property, located in the 3000 block of Myers Street, west of Van Buren Boulevard and just south of Highway 91. Roughly 15 other dogs, mostly puppies, were stored inside the trailer. The stench of the trailer was overwhelming, Captain Belmonte said. “No animal should have to live like this,” Captain Belmonte said.
Someone called the Riverside Police Department about 11 a.m. regarding the welfare of the animals and the police officers contacted Riverside County Animal Services. The city of Riverside contracts with the county for its animal control and sheltering needs. Animal control officers were on scene about 11:15 a.m.
The owner of the dogs was not on the property during the seizure. The owner is believed to be Charlotte Spadaro, a woman Riverside County Animal Services has been monitoring for more than two years. Spadaro, a former Beverly Hills mayor, is facing animal cruelty charges in neighboring San Bernardino County.
“This will be processed as a potential animal cruelty case and forwarded to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for review,” Captain Belmonte said.
The 29 animals became the very first residents of the new Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter, 6851 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, 92509. The animals were transported there immediately after the seizure and veterinary professionals examined and treated each pet.
All the animals from Riverside’s old shelter, 5950 Wilderness Ave., Riverside, 92504, will be moved tomorrow – Saturday, April 24 – starting at 7 a.m. The move is likely to take until 3 p.m.
Photos from
and
Charlotte Spadaro’s
history of Animal Cruelty