Agencies Brace for Crowds at Malibu Hog Ranch Party

Representatives of a variety of regulatory agencies met this week to brace themselves for the Malibu Mountains Hog Ranch celebration, scheduled July 3-5 at a former tennis ranch in Latigo Canyon.

Ranch owner Joe Teresi lost his permit to operate the ranch as a private club in April after neighbors complained that the former tennis ranch had become a rowdy motorcycle hangout.

But Teresi has appealed that decision and can continue to operate the ranch until the appeal is heard.

Teresi, publisher of hot rod and motorcycle magazines, said he believed that the meeting on Thursday was aimed at canceling the July event, at which he plans to sell tamed boars that he calls “attack pigs” and serve a free beer or iced tea to participants, many of whom drive large motorcycles known as “hogs.”

“They’re gunning for me,” he said.

But Los Angeles County officials said the meeting of law enforcement, traffic control, health and zoning experts was called merely to prepare for the anticipated traffic jams and other problems.

“The idea was to get together to pre-plan for the event, which we understand will bring between 1,000 and 5,000 motorcycle riders to the area,” said Robert Geoghegan, chief deputy to Supervisor Ed Edelman, who represents the rural Malibu area.