Sack Of Kittens Found In RivCo Backyard, 1 Arrested For Animal Cruelty

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA — Five deceased kittens were discovered in a Cathedral City backyard this week, and one man was arrested on animal cruelty charges, police announced Wednesday.

Jorge Rivera, a 54-year-old Cathedral City resident, was arrested at a duplex in the 32300 block of Aurora Vista Road on suspicion of felony animal cruelty charges. He was held at the John Benoit Detention Center and released on April 30 on $10,000 bond. He was slated to answer charges on June 3 at the Indio Larson Justice Center, according to jail records.

Officers responded shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday to the 32300 block of Aurora Vista Road, on a report of a bag containing the kittens, according to the Cathedral City Police Department.

"Surveillance footage showed a man tossing a trash bag over a residential fence around 10:30 a.m. Friday," police said.

During questioning, Ramirez allegedly admitted to placing live kittens inside the bag before throwing it into the yard, officers say.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact Cathedral City Police Officer Chris Jones at 760-770-0303 or cjones@cathedralcity.gov.

Patch asked Riverside County Department of Animal Services Director Mary Martin about the discovery. She discussed the importance of knowing what to do if you feel overwhelmed.

"While I can't comment on this case since our field services team was not involved, and I do not have all the facts, I'd like people to understand that Animal Services serves as a safety net for animals and people in crisis," Martin said. "My hope is people will give us a chance to help them make responsible decisions for their pets because our department is dedicated to improving Riverside County for people and animals."