Nearly 100 animals rescued from extreme neglect on Gerber property; owner arrested

GERBER, California — On Wednesday, July 3, several animals were rescued from a Gerber family home and their owner was arrested after Tehama County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) officers 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 officers found the animals, they were locked in a car in 113-degree heat. Maria said there was no drinking water on the property. Officers also reported that the dogs appeared to have been locked there for several days.

There, the officers found 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, livestock, dogs and a litter of puppies.

Maria said they found numerous animal carcasses and skulls, including a decomposing, severed bull’s head, in a trailer on the west side of the property.

The owner of the animals, David McGrath, was immediately arrested by TCSO. They say David McGrath has been booked into the Tehama County Jail on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty and their investigators will continue this investigation and charge him with any possible crimes that may be applicable in this regard.

“We found several animal carcasses, including what appeared to be a mutilated goat,” Maria said. “We discovered that one of the emaciated dogs we were trying to capture was so hungry that, out of desperation, we watched the dog try to eat the rotting carcass of a goat that was here on the property.”

Maria said they have been receiving repeated complaints from neighbors in the area for some time, one of whom is Jacqueline Gonzalez.

“I have personally reported him to animal control in the past, I know several neighbors down the street have reported him,” Gonzalez said. “As far as 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 it was sad to live across the street from the animals for so long.

“To finally see them doing something about it makes me really happy. Just to see all the animals getting off that property and out of those conditions and hopefully going to better homes,” Gonzalez said. “It’s definitely a relief.”

Additional TCSO officers, officers from neighboring units, and the Tehama County Animal Care Center assisted.

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

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