SUSANVILLE, CA - Prior to the Oct. 25 arrest of Whispering Pines owner Dwight Bennett, there were a number of incidents reported at his Susanville horse ranch either pointing to or responding to animal neglect.
PHOTOS: Scenes of neglect, abuse at Whispering Pines horse ranch
Following are accounts, from court documents and incident reports, of each of the events in chronological order. In addition, Bennett became a foster parent but the child was removed because of conditions at his property.
May 29, 2009
(Sheriff's deputy contacts Animal Control; Bennett issued written verbal citation to provide care for animals).
Lassen County sheriff's deputy Laura Gatie contacted Animal Control Officer Judy Walsh (Walesch) in reference to an animal neglect case. Walsh told the deputy in recent months, she has received several complaints from various citizens expressing concerns regarding the welfare of the horses at Whispering Pines Riding Stables.
Walsh told the deputy she wanted to recuse herself from the investigation, stating four years ago she showed one of Bennett's horses at the local county fair. Walsh later gave the deputy conflicting statements regarding her relationship with Bennett.
Animal Control Officer Donna Hastie then took over the probe.
Deputy Gatie went to Whispering Pines. While walking on the property, she noted none of the horse troughs had water in them. The stables were occupied by two or more horses to each stall and the horses were standing in approximately two feet of manure. Some of the horses' hooves were overgrown and they hadn't been groomed in some time.
Bennett told Gatie he recently had fallen on hard times due to the downturn in the economy. His struggles affected the welfare of his animals and business.
Hastie issued a written verbal citation to Bennett, ordering him to provide care for his animals.
Feb. 9, 2011
Gatie spoke with CHP Sgt. David Solari regarding the welfare of several horses at Whispering Pines. Solari responded to the ranch, reporting he found horses loose on the road.
Solari found an area in the fence where the horses broke through. He attempted to contact Bennett, leaving two messages advising him of the situation. Solari also noted the horses appeared underweight and unkept.
Gatie contacted Donna Hastie at Lassen County Animal Control and advised her of the situation.
Hastie stated her supervisor, Pete Heimbigner, took over the investigation.
Feb. 11, 2011
Gatie contacted Bennett at his residence regarding the horses getting out. The deputy walked the majority of the property - horses all had feed and appeared to be in good health, with the exception of a foal. Gatie advised Bennett to clean up exterior of his property that had several abandoned vehicles, trash, boards and metal.
April 6, 2011
(Meeting to discuss welfare of horses and possibility of having to seize horses. Lassen County Sheriff's Capt. Matthew McFarland, Plumas County attorney Robert Crabtree and Pete Heimbigner of public works in attendance).
Heimbigner said a building inspector reported to him workers building a new cell cite on the Whispering Pines property said it appeared no one had been around the property and that they had been filling the water troughs for the horses.
Heimbigner said the last time he and Hastie were on property, Bennett kicked them off. Heimbigner said it was his understanding the Lassen County District Attorney's Office did not have any desire to prosecute this case, based on the available information.
McFarland suggested a search warrant may be needed.
McFarland, Heimbigner and Hastie visited Whispering Pines, observing the horses looked thin with their ribs showing. Bennett agreed he was not adequately caring for the large number of horses. Bennett agreed to allow Hastie to contact two different horse rescue organizations and have the horses turned over to them. Bennett agreed to removing 20 horses.
Weeks of April 11 & 18
Grace Foundation removes 20 horses from Whispering Pines property.
April 23, 2011
CHP Officer Schwagerl issues citation to Bennett for livestock straying onto highway.
May 6, 2011
Bennett completes certification to become a foster parent. There was still snow on the ground and workers could not see condition of property.
June 2011
One foster child is placed with Bennett.
June 19, 2011
Gatie responds to a home near Whispering Pines property. Resident David Clausen advised the deputy that Bennett's horses were on his property. Gatie observed two horses on Clausen's property. She contacted Bennett and he said he would retrieve his horses.
June 23, 2011
Gatie was traveling westbound on Highway 36 and observed two horses two horses on the side of the roadway, near Whispering Pines.
A woman was walking one of the horses back to the stables. The woman told the deputy she was a passerby and nearly hit one of them.
Gatie contacted Bennett and informed him. Bennett said he would retrieve his horses and find where they were getting out. The deputy expressed concern for horses and public.
Aug. 9, 2011
Foster care worker makes unannounced home visit. Bennett is given 30 days to clean up his property after the worker says the condition of property is unacceptable for foster care standards.
Aug. 19, 2011
Foster care worker reports Bennett is not making effort to clean up property and foster care child is removed. Boy was not harmed - worker reports boy was happy and taken care of. Bennett is decertified as a foster care parent.
Aug. 26, 2011 (report filed Aug. 29)
Lassen County sheriff's Deputy Shane Parker on civil standby at the Whispering Pines Stables to assist in removal of animals on the property. Deputies told that Bennett was not allowed on the property.
Parker walked to the main house and observed a man he thought was Bennett. Sheriff's Sgt. M. Schmidt told Bennett he was not to be on the property for any reason and told him to leave and not to return.
Aug. 29, 2011
Week of Aug. 29, 2011
Grace Foundation removes 36 horses from Whispering Pines property.
Oct. 25, 2011
Lassen County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant at Whispering Pines. During the search, deputies found the carcasses of approximately 28 horses in various states of decomposition. Bennett arrested and booked into Lassen County Jail.
Bennett is being held on 70 counts of animal cruelty and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
VIDEO: Owner of Susanville horse ranch charged with animal cruelty
News10/KXTV