Alleged Hoarder Fails to Comply

A woman accused of posing as an animal rescuer failed to comply with citations accusing her of operating illegally.

Last month, Nona Reynolds got two citations for failing to license, leash and vaccinate the 55 dogs running free on her 19-acre property on the 41000 block of El Campo Road in Anza, according to Animal Services Field Service Sgt. Lesley Huennekens.

The fine is $100, but increases to $200 on the second violation and $500 for three or more.

Deputies returned to the property on March 2 to check on compliance, but Reynolds’ vehicle sped away from the house just as they arrived, Welsh said. “Somebody may have tipped her off,” said John Welsh, a spokesperson for Riverside County Animal Services.

An investigation started when a witness reported inhumane conditions at Reynolds’ home, a sergeant wrote in an affidavit supporting a search warrant.

The witness was “horrified at what she saw” when she walked into a trailer used to house dogs and cats, according to the affidavit. She reported seeing animals housed in crates with blankets soaked in urine and feces. The floor of a small dog run was also covered in dried feces and urine, she told an investigator.

The trailer got no circulation or sunlight and many animals were losing their fur, possibly do to the stress of being locked in unclean conditions, lack of exercise or urine contamination, she told an investigator.

In a back room in a trailer, she saw 10 cats, several with respiratory problems and two with diarrhea covering their backsides and tails, she reported.

When deputies served a search warrant last month, they found only two cats, Welsh said.

Animal Services declined to confiscate the animals in favor of helping Reynolds comply with the law. “The first thing we want to do is work with the person,” Welsh said.

Anza, which some Animal Service officials call the “capital for hoarders,” is a frequent destination for them, Welsh said. “Perhaps it’s because it’s far off the beaten path with a lot of open land, so we deal with people who are collectors of animals.”

Many hoarders mean well, he said. “They get into this mode of thinking they want to save every animal in the world.”

Reynolds acted as a foster home several years ago for Animal Friends of the Valleys, which serves as Temecula’s animal shelter, said Willa Bagwell, the executive director.

Animal Friends broke all ties with Reynolds after visiting her property. They also forbade her from adopting any animals from their organization, Bagwell said.

Nonetheless, Reynolds disguised herself and tried to adopt another animal from the organization in January, but Bagwell caught her.

“I am so glad that (Animal Services) served a warrant on her property. I am sure that they found excessive animals that were probably sick, in unsanitary conditions,” Begwell said. “Once a hoarder, always a hoarder.”

Reynolds phone number was unlisted, and she was unreachable for comment.