In addition to the threat of unattended violent dogs, residents of a Rancho Santa Fe community in North County are dealing with claims of more widespread animal mistreatment and even intimidation by 68-year-old Debra Barkley, a local homeowner.According to CBS 8, Barkley has had a lot of complaints from neighbors who have expressed concerns about their safety due to incidents involving her dogs, such as one dog attacking another in the yard.
Following official notification charges resulting from an investigation by the county’s Department of Animal Services, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said her office has filed misdemeanor charges against Barkley for failing to remedy the issue and maintaining a public nuisance. Barkley was accused by locals of having more than the six dogs allowed by law. One neighbor told CBS 8: “We’ve counted five golden retriever puppies and four adults on top of the dog count already there,” indicating a recurring issue.
Barkley entered a not guilty plea during her arraignment in defense; her readiness hearing is set on December 4. A former Navy Seal neighbor described an unsettling scene at Barkley’s property, including filthy conditions and uncontrolled dog breeding, in a statement obtained by CBS 8. In addition to the dog problem, there were allegations of Barkley pointing weapons at neighbors and neglecting horses on another property she owns.
The charges enable for improved oversight that might protect animals on all of Barkley’s properties, even if they now concentrate on dog-related annoyances. According to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, the prosecutor’s office highlights the dedication of their Animal Cruelty Prosecution Unit to addressing such matters, pointing out that since the Unit’s establishment in 2018, 368 criminal cases pertaining to animal cruelty have been filed, including cases as serious as one in which a defendant was given an eight-year sentence for torturing and killing cats and another in which a defendant killed a dog by running it over with his vehicle.
The County Department of Animal Services explains that, in spite of the alarming claims, enforcement does not always entail the instantaneous confiscation of animals but rather employs a process that intensifies according to the seriousness of complaints. Officers who previously offered spay-neuter services have gotten in touch with Barkley about the pets. Barkley complied with the county’s dog ownership restrictions as of April 14, 2023, and the owner is not listed as a dog breeder. This is in line with the Department’s statement that CBS 8 was given.
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