Grass Valley, CA – Charles Adam Beyers, 35 of Grass Valley, was initially cite-arrested on Aug. 6 for §597(b) – Animal Cruelty with 47 animals collectively seized. On Aug. 8, 2024, he was arrested again for reoffending and booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on §597(b) – Animal Cruelty charges with two additional animals seized.
An anonymous tipster called the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) to report several animals left regularly unattended in a business unit, located within the Alta Sierra Business Park complex on the 10000 block of Alta Sierra Drive. The caller expressed great concern over the animals’ wellbeing. Members of the NCSO Animal Control division, along with a sheriff’s deputy, visited the business complex on Aug. 6 to conduct a welfare check and located the unit in question, along with Beyers, who indicated he had plans to open a reptile business but was not yet in operation and did not have a permit.
Beyers was found to have numerous animals in the business unit, including snakes, reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, ducks, chickens, birds, cats and dogs. Many of the animals were locked in small cages or tubs contaminated with urine and feces with no access to water or food.
“Upon entry into the unit, I was hit with a strong, pungent odor of ammonia, coupled with stagnant, humid, warm air,” recalled NCSO Animal Control Supervisor Stefanie Geckler. “There were no obvious sources of ventilation, no windows were open, no fans were running, and the air conditioner was not turned on. Inside one small room were approximately six plastic tubs with various types of birds in them. When I checked inside the tubs, none of the tubs contained water or food for the birds. Some of the plastic tubs were also covered with plastic lids, making it likely very difficult for the birds to breathe. The ammonia stench grew, the deeper we got into the room.”
Similar conditions—lack of food, water and cleanliness—were found with most of the other animals. Animal Control subsequently seized 47 animals that day and Beyer’s was cite-arrested. Two additional dogs that were in the process of being seized for negligence were relinquished to Beyer’s neighbor in good faith, with the neighbor agreeing to assume all care. Two days later, Animal Control and a sheriff’s deputy returned on Aug. 8 for a follow-up check and discovered the same two dogs were back in Beyer’s care—caged, with no access to food or water; they were subsequently seized. Beyer’s was arrested again and booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to credit the anonymous tipster for their help in saving 49 animals.