UPDATE! Help Stop Desert Dog Death Camp

UPDATE! At approximately 10:30am on 7/25/13, Bernadette Schwenn was arrested on:



- 10 Counts Felony Animal Cruelty

- 2 Counts Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty

- 18 Counts Improper Care and Attention of Animal



This WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT YOU AND THE OUT-POUR OF SUPPORT! The arraignment is on Monday - anyone wanting to attend, please LIKE the Facebook Page: Help STOP Desert Dog Death Camp as that is where up to date information will be posted. We need to send a clear message to Schwenn, elected officials and the justice system that Animal Abuse WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

A dog hoarder is living in a surreal tent/tarp in the remote desert about 20 miles from Palm Springs. No food, no water, no electricity. Daytime temperatures in this region can reach 120 degrees, with temps near the ground reaching 135.


There are a minimum of 25 to 35 dogs, not including three or four litters that were just born. Of 40 newborns, 26 died from being cooked by exposure. There are still multiple pregnant females who are ready to deliver any day.  Year over year this has been allowed to happen.  The hoarder has had criminal violations in multi-counties in California but no one has stopped her.

Even though there are many dogs still alive on the property, it is likely many hundreds of dogs have suffered and died over the years from the heat, starvation and lack of water. Recently one of the young males died after being mauled as he tried to re-enter the camp after dark. There is not enough shade anywhere and during the day some of the dogs go off into the desert to squeeze under sagebrush for shade. When they re-enter the camp at night they have to crawl on their belly with their head down. This obviously does not always protect them from being torn to pieces.

Animal Control said it cannot go on the property because the owner has filed 3 lawsuits against them for trespassing. Animal Control made this statement in a search warrant... "A minimum of 11 visits to the property have been conducted to date by DAS Animal Control Officers… adult dogs were seen on the property during various visits as well as pups ranging from new born to six weeks old. Some visits water and food was present and other visits no water of food was available. Temperatures reached upwards of 105 degrees… Several pups were seen one day and not another. The smell of rotting flesh is prevalent."

Recently she was arrested for Cruelty to Animals, posted bail immediately, and returned to her property and the suffering dogs. The hearing on this will not be held until September, or may even be continued beyond that date.

Demand that the Riverside County District Attorney amend Release Conditions of Bernadette Schwenn so that she is banned from further access to or possession of animals pending her trial for animal abuse AND Issue a search warrant to look for mass dog graves.  Demand Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, investigate the handling of this situation and take action.