Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Victim / Witnesses / Suspects: Age City of residence
(Suspect-1): Ernie Bor 30 Lockwood Valley
(Suspect-2): Joan Bor 65 Lockwood Valley
(Suspect-3): Cecilia Bor 35 Lockwood Valley

As part of an ongoing investigation, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant and made three arrests in a cruelty to animals case involving malnourished and emaciated horses on a 21-acre ranch in the 16000 block of Curtis Trail in Lockwood Valley, which is also known as the Cochema Ranch. The joint operation included the use of four veterinarians as well as members of the US Forest Service, Ventura County Animal Regulation, the Ventura County Humane Society, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and several volunteers.

In addition to the recovery of evidence, and the arrests of Ernie, Joan, and Cecelia Bor, the condition of 95 horses on the property was evaluated. (Thirteen horses in dire condition were previously removed from the property on September 24th.) After an assessment of the animals, 38 more horses were deemed to need off-site care and were taken by the Ventura County Humane Society. The remaining 57 horses were left at the ranch and the area was designated as a temporary animal shelter with those horses held under the care of Ventura County Animal
Regulation. To this point, of the 55 horses that have been removed from the property on both dates, 38 were voluntarily relinquished by the Bor family and 17 have been impounded by the Ventura County Humane Society.

The process of removing the horses and securing them in trailers was dangerous and unpredictable as many of the horses were essentially wild. One member of the US Forrest Service was significantly injured when a horse reared up and struck her in the upper torso while another horse then trampled over her. The employee was airlifted to the Ventura County Medical Center by a Sheriff’s helicopter.

Ernie, Joan, and Cecilia Bor are facing multiple felony counts for cruelty to animals and it is possible that other arrests may be made in this case. The three suspects were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention facility where they are being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.