Nearly 40 RivCo Dogs Impounded During Sweep In Coachella

COACHELLA, CA — Animal services officials conducted a sweep of eastern Coachella Valley on Tuesday and nearly 40 dogs were impounded, the county said.

Riverside County Animal Services performs a sweep of the desert region when temperatures begin to drop every year. This time, officers set up their staging area at 5 a.m. to avoid the potential of heat-related injuries to stray dogs, RCAS said.

"These sweeps are about making sure we’re protecting our communities, especially the younger residents as they prepare for Halloween fun," Commander Josh Sisler said.

This year's sweep also included an educational component.

Officers visited homes door to door and talked to residents about the importance of keeping dogs safely inside their property.

The agency said the sweep also resulted in a few reunions after an owner's dog ended up in their sweep truck.