Nearly 100 Animals Rescued From Extreme Neglect On Gerber Property; Owner Arrested

GERBER, Calif. — Several animals were rescued from a Gerber home on Wednesday (July 3) and their owner was arrested after Tehama County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) deputies found them living in horrific conditions.

Sergeant Dustin Maria said it all started yesterday when concerned citizens reported two dogs locked in a vehicle. When authorities found the animals, they were locked in a car in 43-degree heat. Maria said there was no potable water on the property. Authorities also reported it appeared the dogs had been locked there for several days.

From there, authorities discovered what they called “a horrific scene of animal neglect and abuse.”

Maria said the two dogs trapped in the vehicle were rescued and turned over to the Tehama County Animal Shelter and several severely emaciated animals were recovered from the property, including cows, horses, cattle, dogs and a litter of puppies.

Maria said they found countless animal carcasses and skulls, including a severed bull head rotting in a trailer on the west side of the property.

The animals' owner, David McGrath, was immediately arrested by the TCSO. They say David McGrath was booked into the Tehama County Jail for animal abuse and their detectives are continuing this investigation and will be filing all possible charges that apply to these circumstances.

“We found several animal carcasses, including a mutilated goat,” Maria said. “One of the emaciated dogs we were trying to capture was so hungry that out of desperation we saw him trying to eat the rotting carcass of a goat that was right here on the property.”

Maria said they have been receiving repeated complaints from neighbors in the neighborhood for some time, one of them being Jacqueline Gonzalez.

“I have personally reported it to animal control in the past, and I know several neighbors on the street have reported it as well,” Gonzalez said. “From what I know, this has been going on for decades.”

Gonzalez and her husband have lived across the street from McGrath for four years. Gonzalez said it's good to see something finally being done about it.

Gonzalez said he was sad to live so long in front of animals.

“I’m really happy to finally see that they’re doing something about it. I can just see all these animals leaving this property and these conditions and hopefully finding a better home,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a relief, for sure.”

Additional TCSO deputies, officers from neighboring units and the Tehama County Animal Care Center responded to assist.

Although they have not yet done a full count of the animals on the property, Maria said there are about 100 animals and their intention is to save them all.

Maria said they are working with local ranchers to get trailers and vehicles to transport the animals.