PIRU : Pair Get Probation for Animal Abuse

Seven months after about 100 starving animals were confiscated from rented corrals on Piru Canyon Road, Alfred (Dale) Beem, 58, and his son, Robert, 30, have been sentenced to three years probation for misdemeanor animal abuse.

During a sentencing hearing Friday, the Beems also agreed to relinquish any claim to the horses, rabbits, sheep, dogs, cat and bird that have been in the care of the Ventura County Humane Society and county Animal Regulation since May 31, 1990.

Municipal Judge Ken W. Riley told the Beems that the condition of the animals when they were discovered was “almost too painful to think about.”

The pair initially pleaded not guilty to felony charges, but later pleaded no contest to reduced charges because they said they could not afford to lose more time from work.

Although the pair escaped the maximum possible sentence of a $20,000 fine and a year in County Jail, the judge ordered each defendant to pay $100 a month to the Humane Society throughout the 36-month probationary period. The payments will amount to less than 15% of more than $53,000 spent by the society and Animal Regulation for food and veterinary services.

With their sentence, the Beems received a stern lecture from the judge about the severity of their offense and their failure to seek a solution before the animals were emaciated and dying.

“You could have done something, and you should have, but you did nothing. You will have to live with that on your conscience,” Riley said. He told the Beems that they should not “enjoy the company, privilege and joy of having animals around you. They are precious co-occupants of this earth.”

During their probation, the Beems are forbidden to possess animals, and their residence will be subject to inspection by Ventura County Humane Society officers, even though they are now residents of San Luis Obispo. Riley told the Beems that probation violations would cause the case to return to his court, “And I will not hesitate to impose a severe penalty.”