Dozens of dogs left abandoned at Moreno Valley shelter up for adoption

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Nearly two dozen dogs were nursed back to health and are up for adoption at the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter after they were left abandoned in the middle of the night in mid-March.

The dogs range in age between 2 and 12 years old, shelter officials said. They are all small breed dogs, which include Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese and toy poodles.

After midnight on March 18, 21 dogs were in crates and left abandoned outside of the shelter. The pups were all found in various degrees of malnutrition and neglect.

An investigation into the incident revealed the dogs' owner lives in Nuevo, a small, unincorporated community, and relatives of the owner who live in Moreno Valley left the pets at the shelter.

A criminal complaint was filed against the individuals with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

Shelter officials said some of the dogs have already been adopted. To find out more on how you can give one of these pets a forever home, visit www.moval.org.