The Riverside County Department of Animal Services is investigating a string of attacks on wild burros in Moreno Valley and is asking the public for help identifying those responsible. The investigation is ongoing.
Wild burros are protected under federal law and are considered an iconic symbol of the American Southwest, dating back to their use as pack animals during the California Gold Rush. In Moreno Valley, these animals have roamed freely for over 75 years and are seen by many as the community’s unofficial mascot.
“These burros actually benefit the area,” said John Welsh, a spokesperson for the department. “They help reduce wildfire risk by grazing on dry grasses in hard-to-reach canyon areas. Firefighters appreciate their presence because the burros can access terrain they can’t.”
While generally docile, burros can sometimes become a nuisance, nibbling on flowers or blocking traffic when drivers stop to feed them.
Neighboring San Bernardino County, where thousands of wild burros live, recently partnered with the nonprofit Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue to humanely capture and relocate the animals to sanctuaries. The county noted that while burros are beloved by many, they often encounter dangers such as vehicles and trains, and can suffer fatal injuries from entanglement in fences or cemetery decorations.
The recent spate of attacks in Moreno Valley has alarmed residents and animal welfare advocates. According to DonkeyLand, a local rescue group, the first incident occurred around the weekend of June 14, when a young burro was found with an arrow lodged in her side. Days later, another burro was discovered shot with a similar broadhead arrow, a type commonly used in hunting.
In total, at least five burros have been shot in the same area, including two very young foals estimated to be just two to four months old.
Healthy wild donkeys can live up to 40 years and range in size from small “minis” weighing around 300 pounds to large “mammoths.”
This is not the first time wild burros have been targeted. Last year, two men pleaded guilty to federal charges after killing three burros with high-powered rifles in the Mojave Desert, about 90 miles north of Moreno Valley.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the recent attacks to contact the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.