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Dogs kill four miniature horses, donkey at California children’s zoo

Posted at 9:59 AM, Jan 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-31 09:59:54-05

SAN JOSE, Calif. – A pack of dogs mauled several animals to death inside their pens at a California children’s zoo, according to The Mercury News.

Three dogs are believed to have killed four miniature horses – Luna, Cayenne, Spice Girl and Sweet William – along with a Sicilian donkey named Maybelline, at San Jose’s Happy Hollow Zoo.

Workers first found Sweet William dead in his pen Jan. 15, according to the paper. The zoo’s acting general manager, Shannon Heimer, said surveillance cameras captured three dogs running near the zoo after it had closed. None of the cameras were pointed inside the enclosures.

The dogs – described as two larger German shepherd mixes and a smaller terrier mix – returned five nights later, dug under a six-foot tall steel fence and killed the remaining four animals, according to KGO.

Animal control officers have  two of the dogs in custody and are looking for the third, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Director Angel Rios Jr. told KGO.

“These dogs appeared to be on a mission,” Rios Jr. said. “What’s disturbing about this is it appeared they were looking for food.”

Unless the owner comes forward, they will be euthanized, according to Rios Jr.

Maybelline, Luna and Cayenne were born at the zoo and their deaths have deeply affected workers, KGO reports.

Before bringing new animals in, the city-owned facility is working on improving surveillance and security, Rios Jr. said.