Zoo Owner Indicted on Hundreds of Charges
The owner of a long-running roadside zoo in Oregon has been indicted on 371 criminal charges, including more than 300 counts of animal neglect, after authorities discovered firearms, drugs, and evidence of severe animal mistreatment at the facility.
Brian Tenney, who operated the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, was arraigned Monday, according to the Associated Press. The charges follow a major investigation led by Oregon State Police, who executed several search warrants at the southern Oregon coast zoo in May.
During the raid, police reportedly uncovered methamphetamine, cocaine, dozens of firearms, and large amounts of cash on the property. Federal inspectors had previously cited the zoo for numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including reports of malnourished animals and a deceased tiger found stored in a freezer. Investigators also noted missing records documenting animal sales and deaths.
Following the raid, more than 300 animals were rescued and relocated to sanctuaries and rescue centers. Three animals—a camel, a chicken, and a kinkajou—were euthanized after veterinary evaluations determined their conditions were too severe. Court documents show the grand jury’s August 19 indictment includes 327 felony charges, with multiple counts involving neglect of specific animals such as capybaras and sheep.
The zoo, in operation since 1968, has now permanently closed.
Former employees told Jefferson Public Radio that they had long suspected something illegal was happening behind the scenes. Many stayed on out of concern for the animals’ welfare. Amanda Zamora, who worked in the zoo’s gift shop, said the business brought in thousands of dollars on busy days, yet animals remained underfed. She also claimed Tenney instructed her to discard receipts to avoid documenting income. “He told me to throw away the receipts and to not write it down,” she said. “I thought that was very weird.”
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