Gerber man arrested, charged with animal cruelty – Red Bluff Daily News

Neighbors initially reported Wednesday that two dogs in the back of the vehicle had been locked in cages without food or water for days in triple-digit heat. That prompted a further investigation that led to multiple discoveries of animal abuse and neglect. The man was booked into jail on animal cruelty charges. (Tehama County Sheriff’s Office)

GERBER — An animal cruelty call on Wednesday led to an incident that can only be described as “horrific,” according to law enforcement officials.

“We just put out a strong warning about what happens if we find your dog locked in a car. Two great citizens called us about two dogs they found locked in cages in the back of an SUV in Gerber,” the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) said in a statement.

Deputy Steven Weightman responded immediately and allegedly found two dogs locked in cages in the back of the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off. The dogs reportedly had no food or water and appeared to have been kept in the cages for multiple days.

TCSO said when Weightman located the dogs, the outside temperature displayed on deputies’ phones was 111 degrees. With the help of neighbors, they immediately got them water.

But that was just the beginning. Weightman reportedly noticed other animals at the address that appeared stressed.

The overwhelming amount of animal cruelty they uncovered prompted a request for the Major Crimes Unit to intervene. The scene was turned over to sheriff’s detectives with the Major Crimes Task Force, who are continuing their investigation. David McGrath of Gerber was booked into the Tehama County Jail on a felony charge of animal cruelty.

Community members and neighbors say they have had reports in the past that McGrath abused animals, of which he had many.

“When we entered the property, we discovered what can only be described as a horror of neglect and animal abuse. The specific findings are too graphic to fully describe here, but included dead, mutilated animals, goats with their necks and horns tied with rope, injured lambs that could not stand or walk, a severed bull head rotting in an empty horse trailer, and multiple animal skulls and carcasses strewn around the front yard of the residence,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

They reported several severely emaciated dogs, one of which had a litter of puppies, dozens of emaciated cows, horses and farm animals. The sheriff’s office also said there was no animal feed on the property. Multiple animals were confiscated. The dogs that were left in cages were rescued, as was a lamb that was immobilized due to injuries and taken for immediate veterinary care, TCSO said.

“One of the most heartbreaking moments of the incident was when officers observed one of the emaciated dogs attempting to feed on a severely rotted goat carcass that was infested with maggots,” TCSO said.

Officers from the Corning Police Department and Tehama County Animal Care Center also responded to the home. The Red Bluff Police Department also assisted at the scene.

The Travisson County Sheriff’s Office is working with the animal shelter to coordinate efforts to recover the farm animals still at the scene, as well as some dogs that were not initially located.

“This location is a priority for us and we will continue to return there daily until we are able to secure every legal remedy possible to end the animal torture that has been occurring at this location,” TCSO said in a statement. “We are outraged by this incident and remain committed to prosecuting anyone who harms an animal.”

“We are grateful to the allied agencies that left their jurisdictions to help us rescue these animals, those who volunteered staff, and the animal shelter that responded after hours to provide support. We are also incredibly grateful to the good Samaritans and neighbors who reported this to us, assisted our deputies, and helped provide assistance to the struggling animals. We will keep their identities anonymous, but they are responsible for saving all of these animals,” TCSO said in a statement.

McGrath remains in custody and additional charges are expected. Additional information will be released as the investigation continues.