Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Animal Cruelty / Overpopulation - Kern County, CA


Mar 8, 2011: Scrivner suggests county might consider limits on animals

By: Carin Enovijas and Claudia Elliott

Should Kern County have limits on the number of animals that may be kept on premises in unincorporated areas?

The issue was given cursory consideration by county supervisors in 2009, after Animal Control became flooded with barking dog complaints and animal welfare concerns associated with the 200 dogs that were then housed in a Water Canyon home by controversial rescuer turned hoarder, Kimi Peck. More than a year later, approximately 150 animals were removed by Animal Control from Peck’s rented Bear Valley home after her long-time supporter and landlord, Susan Marlowe, evicted her from the same property once occupied by convicted animal abuser Cynthia Gudger.

Kern County 2nd District Supervisor Zack Scrivner said he has had “informal discussions” with the planning director about efforts to establish animal limits within the county..."
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Learn more about Kimi Peck: Here & Here
Learn more about Cynthia Gudger in the "Captured Abuser" section: Here

Feb 16, 2010: An Inside Look Into Animal Cruelty In Kern County

Kimberly Foley

The stories are numerous, and seemingly endless. Lacey, Teagan, and four kittens in Wasco are the latest cases of animal cruelty that have captured the attention of the community.

"There have been several high profile cases lately that have been pretty outrageous and raised a lot of cause for concern in the community," said Ray Pruitt of the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

We met Lacey in December after police said her owner tied the dog up, sprayed bleach on her face and beat her with a golf club.

Tehachapi resident Kara Hesbon found her cat, Teagan, suffering from second-and-third degree burns after she said someone in her neighborhood set the cat on fire.

"To catch a cat, and then mistreat it, there's a problem there," said Dr. Dean Haddock, who has evaluated accused animal abusers. "There is something deep inside of them that they need to do something about."

Just three days Teagan's story aired, video was discovered by Wasco gang deputies of four kittens being beaten to death in an orchard in the North County. While these cases are the latest, they're certainly not the first.

There have also been several local cases of extreme animal hoarding.

Repeat offender Cynthia Gudger was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty back in 2008. Five of those charges were dismissed. She pleaded no contest to the other five before being sentenced to Patton State Hospital because she wasn't fit to stand trial.

Gudger isn't the only repeat offender the county has seen. Cyndi Bemis, Cynthia Trapani, and accused animal hoarder Kimi Peck are among the infamous..." More

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