Officers search for Riverside County fugitives suspected of abusing 18 dogs

Officers are searching for a Riverside County pair who allegedly abused 18 dogs and are wanted for felony animal cruelty, according to animal control officials.

Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV) announced Friday that Sandrine Casterra and Philipp Durand violated bail conditions after their Oct. 7 arrest and have since been fugitives on the run.

Casterra and Durand allegedly posed as animal rescuers, AFV says, and they operated their business at the Wooden Nickel Ranch on Holland Road in Menifee. Durand purportedly promotes himself as a renowned rescuer under the name “Wonder Earth Rescue.”

In 2023, officials say the pair failed to comply with a pre-seizure order requiring veterinary care for the rescued animals in their care.

Animal control officers then executed a search warrant at the ranch and found 18 dogs living in “deplorable conditions.”

The dogs were chained in a feces-covered shed with no ventilation, no running water or proper care, according to officials.

“Our officers worked tirelessly for months to bring these animals to safety, some of which were so badly abused and neglected that they could not be saved," said AFV Chief Mo Middleton in a release.

While enforcing the warrant, officials say Casterra barricaded herself inside a structure on the ranch.

According to AFV, animal control officers worked with the Menifee Police Department to complete her arrest on July 21, 2023, and booked her for 17 felony counts of animal cruelty.

An investigation found that Durand fled the property the night before the search and took three horses and other animals that were included in the warrant.

Although Durand was not on the scene at the time of Casterra’s arrest, AFV says that since her arrest, the pair made multiple attempts to discredit the organization, including allegedly reaching out to AFV supporters with false information – violating court orders.

"They’ve filed frivolous restraining orders and even accused our officers of trespass, all of which were dismissed by the courts," said Middleton. "We will not back down in our fight to protect animals from cruelty."

AFV says that while awaiting trial, the pair were released on bail with “strict terms prohibiting animal ownership.”

However, Durand and Casterra allegedly violated bail conditions by acquiring additional animals at a rural property in Lancaster.

“AFV secured a Ramey (bail violation) warrant, resulting in their re-arrest on October 7, 2024,” the organization said in a release.

Officials say the pair was released days later, failed to comply with orders to wear ankle monitors, and “have since disappeared.”

The organization says a no-bail warrant has been issued for Durand, while Casterra faces a $100,000 bail warrant.

“AFV urges the public to thoroughly vet animal rescues before donating or surrendering pets,” says the release. 

Officials encourage anyone with information about the fugitives' whereabouts to contact AFV Animal Control immediately.