Marin Humane Society Offers $15,000 reward
The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the cattle and deer shootings on Marin ranches has increased to $15,000. The Marin Farm Bureau, Marin County Fish and Game, The Humane Society of the United States and In Defense of Animals have each contributed to the reward. Anyone with information can call us at (415) 883-4621.
The drive-by shootings of a cow and two calves on Marin ranches are puzzling - and disturbing.
All three animals died or had to be euthanized.
Random violence of any kind involving gunfire is troubling, but the callous brazenness of the attacks has angered and shaken the county's ranching community.
They are not alone.
The individuals responsible for the shootings need to be identified and prosecuted.
John Goldbeck saw a car speed by and then heard shots fired about 4:30 Monday afternoon at his J.G. Angus Ranch on Chileno Valley Road in Northern Marin. A small white car full of young people fled the scene.
The 3-year-old cow, which was owned by a rancher renting space on Goldbeck's ranch, was shot several times. The cow weighed 1,300 pounds and was worth $1,500.
Officials also are investigating the Feb. 16 shootings of two calves at ranches in West Marin. One calf was grazing 60 to 70 yards off Marshall-Petaluma Road when it was shot.
Authorities are trying to determine if the shootings are related, along with the fatal shooting of three deer in the same area as the calves last month.
Cindy Machado of the Marin Humane Society said such "egregious violence" will not be tolerated. "Unfortunately, we have vicious people out there who think it's cool to shoot at animals."
She is right on both counts.
The cool factor, especially if young people were involved, is especially troubling. Given the remoteness of the three ranches, these shootings took some effort and planning - and access to guns.
This is not an episode of "Jackass." These are real animals on real ranches. Firing shots from a car in ranch country is dangerous - and not just for animals.
Marin Farm Bureau President Mike Gale, whose family has been ranching in Chileno Valley since 1862, called the shootings cowardly - and devastating, both in their randomness and for the loss of life.
He is right, of course. Only a coward would shoot a cow or calves - or deer - on remote ranches and then speed off, leaving the animals to suffer before dying.
Anyone who knows anything about the shootings should contact the Humane Society or the Marin Farm Bureau. Rewards totaling more than $6,000 have been offered by the two organizations and a citizens group for information leading to convictions.
Marin County needs to make it clear that such reckless behavior is unacceptable and that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.
Related News:
Drive-by shooter targets cattle in West Marin
(Marin Indpendent Journal, 3/22/07)
Roadside shooter sought in deaths of cows, deer
(Press Democrat, 3/22/07)
