PIRU : No Contest Pleaded to Animal Abuse

Former Piru residents Alfred and Robert Beem entered a plea of no contest Monday in what officials have called Ventura County’s largest case of animal abuse this year. A sentencing hearing has been set for Jan. 4.

The Beems had maintained their innocence of the misdemeanor charges of animal neglect since May, when more than 100 emaciated animals were taken from rented corrals on Piru Canyon Road. The animals, some of which have died, included horses, sheep, rabbits, dogs, a cat and a bird.

Defense attorney Timothy Quinn said the two men decided to change their plea from not guilty to no contest because of health and financial problems. “They’ve been missing work for this, and the whole thing arose out of a lack of money,” Quinn said.

Original charges of felony animal neglect were reduced in October because the two men had to care for the animals alone after two family members left Piru to care for ailing relatives.

The Beems could be fined up to $20,000 each for the misdemeanor charges or spend up to a year in county jail. Deputy Dist. Atty. Mark Pachowicz has said he would recommend that the Beems be barred from keeping animals if they receive probation. Pachowicz will also seek restitution for money spent by the Ventura County Humane Society, which has cared for the animals since May.

Society Director Jolene Hoffman estimated the Beems’ seven horses and 45 rabbits have cost the Ojai shelter $11,000 so far. Food and medical bills for 35 sheep housed with county Animal Regulation are about three times that amount, Hoffman said.

However, “we don’t expect to see money in this case,” said Kathy Jenks, director of Animal Regulation.