This public letter was contributed by Nicole Lorusso. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artículo en español aqui.
Editor’s Note: In response to allegations that the Hollister Animal Shelter was not helping with animals allegedly surrendered by homeless residents removed from the San Benito riverbed, Hollister Police Chief Carlos Reynoso reported that animal shelter staff did not consider the animals true strays and a valid surrender process is required including owner approval.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter in regards to the “aggressive dog” trial for the dog, Ria and her owner Natalie Rios. I was informed that the dangerous dog allegation was sustained and I’m writing to express my concern and disappointment in how this situation was handled.
I know that Cat Crew California has been in contact with Natalie Rios since May 2025 when the county was doing the riverbed clean out. There was no clear plan for people and their animals after they were cleared out of the area. Hollister Animal Shelter was unwilling to help with the animals that were surrendered so Cat Crew, along with other rescues in the area, stepped up.
Although Natalie was not living in the riverbed, it was shared with Cat Crew leadership that she was caring for dogs from there so the team reached out. She was very grateful for the help, and the team could see that her animals were very sweet and social. Cat Crew picked up two of the dogs and got them fixed, vaccinated, microchipped. Ria was in heat so it was decided to wait until this summer to fix her. Leadership from Cat Crew has met Ria and can see that she is gentle spirited. Natalie is caring, kind and willing to do anything to care for her animals. Their love for each other is obvious.
When Cat Crew leadership was contacted by the microchip company that the dogs were scanned, they contacted Natalie right away. She filled them in on the situation – her dogs were stolen and thrown from a truck. She was encouraged to file a police report. Alyssa Carillo from the Hollister Animal Shelter contacted Cat Crew about the situation and they were shocked to hear from Alyssa that Ria was being held as a dangerous dog. Even more shocked to read the report and to witness the lack of compassion for an animal in distress after trauma. It doesn’t take a trainer or professional to understand this situation, it only requires empathy and an understanding of basic dog behavior. It’s disappointing that our shelter is lacking both. As a rescue that cares for the majority of our community animals, Cat Crew cannot take on everyone – nor should they be expected to. Especially when there is a good owner. Not only is this unfair treatment but it’s unfair to ask them to take in a dog that has been exposed to Parvo as the shelter was shut down at the time of intake due to exposure.
Ria and her puppy friend were stolen, thrown from a truck, cornered, chased with sirens until her pads of her paws were bloody and injured, and then surrounded by strangers with a catch pole. This dog was absolutely terrified and the only thing she did was bark and lunge. No bite occurred during this incident, and the reaction is typical of a terrified animal that was being cornered. In my opinion, that shows significant amounts of restraint on Ria’s part as I can only imagine how scared she was to be surrounded by strangers who were trying to grab her and her puppy friend. She is not an aggressive dog. She was terrified, protective of her friend, and injured. Please do not let the shelter kill this girl. She should be allowed to stay with Natalie and her companions.
My goal is to help the animals of our community. Ria does not deserve the treatment she has gotten. A simple basic request would be to order a veterinary behavior assessment by the shelter’s contracted veterinarian who was holding Ria according the police report.
The community as a whole is shocked and disappointed in our animal services. This is unfair, unjust, and unacceptable for Ria and her family to be treated this way after trying to be responsible owners. As a reminder – the dogs were stolen and dumped. And they are being punished for someone else’s actions instead of that person being brought to justice for what they did to Ria and her family.
I hope that every effort is made to keep Ria and Natalie Rios together. Cat Crew California has promised to fix, microchip, and vaccinate Ria as soon as she is released.
Sincerely,
Nicole Lorusso
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