Starving Animals Rescued From Ranch

In the most severe case of animal neglect in Ventura County this year, more than 100 starved animals have been confiscated from a ranch in Piru, officials said.

Two sheep and 21 rabbits were found dead at a leased ranch at 2794 Piru Canyon Road, said Humane Society shelter director Jolene Hoffman. Seven horses, 34 sheep, 69 rabbits, three dogs and a cockatiel were rescued from the ranch, leased from Texaco Inc. by Dale Beem.

“They’re emaciated,” Hoffman said. “They’re walking skeletons.”

Beem told investigators that “he’d been out of town for two days, and it was someone else’s fault,” said Lee Jones, a Humane Society officer who went to Beem’s ranch Wednesday night. Veterinarians determined that the animals had been neglected for at least three months, Hoffman said.

“I don’t think he really understood the full impact of the situation,” Jones said. She said Beem was cooperative Wednesday night but that authorities have not heard from him since.

Hoffman said the Humane Society will ask the district attorney’s office to file charges of animal cruelty and neglect against Beem next week. The charges could result in fines of up to $20,000, a maximum of one year in prison and forfeiture of the animals.

The starving animals were discovered Wednesday evening by Ventura County sheriff’s deputies, who saw the emaciated animals in a field. Humane Society officials were called but could not impound the animals that night, so the U.S. Forest Service brought in water and the Ventura County Fire Department brought alfalfa for the animals, Hoffman said.

Investigators at the ranch discovered a collection of Ventura County Fair prize ribbons that Beem’s son, Michael, won for raising rabbits, Hoffman said.

On Thursday, the sheep were taken to the Ventura County Animal Regulation Department, while the Humane Society took responsibility for the rest of the animals. One of the rescued sheep had to be destroyed.

“As bad as they were, it would take months to get into such poor condition,” Hoffman said.

Beem’s phone was not in service Friday.

“We are desperate for any alfalfa, rabbit feed, oats, dog food, anything,” Hoffman said. Anyone wishing to donate feed may call the Humane Society of Ventura at 656-5031. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 297, Ojai 93024.