The Roggin Report is once again turning its spotlight on Riverside County Animal Services—this time focusing on disturbing developments inside the San Jacinto Animal Shelter. The facility, managed under the same leadership as the Thousand Palms Animal Campus, is now under scrutiny following insider reports and leaked photos that raise ethical and operational concerns.
The segment alleges that Mary Martin, the county’s newly appointed shelter director, and consultant Kristen Hassen are accelerating euthanasia at San Jacinto as part of a calculated effort to declare the shelter “no-kill” by mid-year. The claim: eliminate large numbers of animals now so the kill numbers appear low later.
Despite multiple requests, Martin has not agreed to a full interview. The county initially offered a strict 15-minute time limit, which the Roggin Report declined. Late Friday, the county indicated it may schedule an interview for the week of May 12.
Photos allegedly taken inside San Jacinto show filthy kennels and animals living in unacceptable conditions—images that are reportedly even more disturbing than those from the Thousand Palms shelter, which led to an ongoing lawsuit.
Critics argue that instead of improving conditions or increasing adoptions, the current leadership is focused on manipulating statistics. By avoiding intake and pushing euthanasia early in the year, insiders say the shelter can misleadingly present itself as having turned a corner.
The Roggin Report continues to request transparency and calls on county leadership to answer for these allegations.
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By: Fred Roggin
May 3, 2025
