75 animals removed from unsanitary conditions
Frazier Park, CA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jun 14, 2011
County: Kern

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: David Enoch Birrel

A Frazier Park man was arrested on suspicion of felony crimes against animals Tuesday after Kern County animal control officers and sheriff's deputies found 75 animals in allegedly unsanitary living conditions.

One arrest was made, of a man named David Enoch Birrel, 5000 block of Frazier Mountain Park Road in Frazier Park, according to authorities. Neighbors and sheriff's deputies said he goes by the name "Roger" and is the son of a woman known as Katherine Silvers. Katherine Silvers (Birrell), 56 and Sarah Sunshine, 31 (aka Sarah Birrell) were arrested at that home by a joint vice task force of Bakersfield Police Department and KCSO for sexual solicitation on September 25, 2009.

According to Kern County Sheriff's Seargent Mark Brown, "There is probable cause to arrest Katherine Silvers based on the conditions discovered yesterday at the house."

An animal control officer looked into the complaint and out of concern for the animals' safety immediately obtained a search warrant, according to animal control officials.

"It was just cramped," said Senior Animal Control Officer Steve Eirech, who was among those who responded. "The residence was unsanitary and the owner wasn't complying with space requirements."

Eirech said the smaller animals were in cages, not roaming around.

In all, officers found 75 animals including dogs, cats, horses, goats, chickens, roosters, cockatiel, tarantulas and a variety of fish.

They were seized and taken to the Kern County Animal Shelter, the county said. They are being evaluated and treated by the Kern County Animal Control medical team.

The animals will be held as evidence in the criminal case. Ultimately, it will be up to a judge to decide if the animals should be returned to Birrel or should remain with Animal Control, which would then put them up for adoption.

Birrel remained in custody Wednesday on $200,000 bail and was scheduled to be arraigned at 8 a.m. Thursday at Kern County Superior Court's Taft/Maricopa branch, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Department.

References

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