Police arrested Brian Tenney, owner of West Coast Game Park Safari, on Friday, Aug. 23, in Bandon following a grand jury indictment on 371 charges. Tenney faces more than 300 counts of felony animal neglect as well as charges of racketeering, delivery of methamphetamine and possession of a machine gun.
Multiple agencies raided Tenney’s zoo in May after federal inspectors reported a long list of Animal Welfare Act violations. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials noted underfed animals, a dead tiger stored in a freezer and missing records for animal sales and deaths.
During the raid, police reported finding dozens of firearms, drugs and more than $1 million in a safe. Police arrested Tenney at the time on drug charges, but he’s remained free.
Authorities rehomed all of the zoo’s animals to sanctuaries, including chimpanzees, big cats and camels. The park, which had operated since 1968, has closed.
Each count of neglect seems to correspond to an individual animal held at the park. For example, it includes six counts related to capybaras and 110 involving sheep.
Tenney also faces five counts of unlawful possession of wildlife and a charge of endangering another person.
Edith Beckner, a longtime zoo employee, was also arrested in connection with the investigation. She is listed as a co-defendant in the indictment.
