Riverside County Pursues Duck Sanctuary Case
- Riverside County supervisors approved legal action tied to a long-running animal welfare investigation at an Anza duck sanctuary. - Local rescues are moving affected birds into safe, pet-only homes while officials tighten adoption rules beyond cats and dogs. - The county is preparing its case and pursuing better veterinary care and oversight for the sanctuary's birds (nbcpalmsprings.com).
1/ Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on May 14, 2026, to authorize legal action against the Anza Duck Sanctuary in Anza, California, following a multi-year animal welfare probe. The decision escalates a standoff over alleged neglect of hundreds of ducks and geese. 2/ The sanctuary, run by activist Valerie Corcoran, houses over 400 waterfowl on 2.5 acres in Riverside County's rural Anza Valley. County investigators first visited in 2023 after complaints of overcrowding, filthy ponds, and untreated illnesses. Multiple seizures have occurred since, with 150+ birds removed in 2024 alone. 3/ What triggered the probe? Residents reported ducks dying from avian botulism in stagnant water, malnutrition, and predator attacks due to inadequate fencing. A 2025 vet report cited "severe overcrowding" with birds packed at 200 per acre—far above welfare standards of 1-2 per 100 sq ft. County animal services documented 50+ dead birds on-site in one inspection. 4/ Corcoran calls it a "witch hunt" by county officials biased against no-kill sanctuaries. She claims the birds are rescues from abuse and that county interference prevents natural pond cleaning. In a May 14 public comment, she said: "These ducks are thriving in their forever home—you're the ones stressing them out." Supporters rallied outside the supervisors' meeting with "Free the Ducks" signs. 5/ Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel voted yes, citing "egregious welfare violations" after reviewing 18 months of evidence. The lone no vote came from Supervisor Manuel Perez, who questioned if litigation was the "most compassionate path" and suggested mediation first. Legal action now heads to the Riverside County District Attorney's office for filing. 6/ Meanwhile, rescues like Feathered Friends of Riverside and SoCal Duck Rescue have taken in seized birds. On May 14, they relocated 72 ducks to "pet-only" foster homes—meaning no slaughter or release into wild populations. These groups screen adopters rigorously, banning commercial farms or hunting preserves. 7/ County rules are tightening too. Effective June 1, 2026, Riverside adoptions expand vet checks and home visits to poultry and exotics—not just cats/dogs. Animal Services Director Bill Lape proposed this after the sanctuary case exposed gaps in oversight for non-traditional rescues. Violations could lead to license revocation. 8/ The county seeks a court order for ongoing vet access, improved enclosures, and population caps at the sanctuary. DA Mike Hestrin told supervisors his office is "preparing charges" under California Penal Code 597 for animal cruelty, potentially including fines up to $20,000 and facility closure. First court date expected by late June. 9/ This isn't isolated—similar cases hit sanctuaries in San Bernardino (2024 goat seizure) and Orange County (2025 chicken raid). Animal welfare groups like the ASPCA note a 25% rise in exotic rescue probes nationwide since 2023, driven by post-pandemic hoarding. Riverside's move sets a precedent for regulating self-funded operations. 10/ Corcoran plans a GoFundMe for legal defense and has 2,300+ petition signatures to drop the case. County estimates ongoing enforcement costs at $150K/year. Hearing updates at rivco.org/board-supervisors. Follow for court filings.
