Residents of a North County neighborhood in Rancho Santa Fe are confronting not only the menace of unsupervised aggressive dogs but also allegations of wider animal abuse and even intimidation by a local homeowner, 68-year-old Debra Barkley. CBS 8 reports that Barkley has become the subject of numerous complaints, with neighbors citing encounters with her dogs that have prompted fears for their safety, including a dog attacking another dog in its yard.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said her office has filed misdemeanor charges against Barkley for maintaining a public nuisance, as well as failing to remedy the issue after official notification—charges that stem from an investigation by the county’s Department of Animal Services, as reported by the San Diego County District Attorney's office. Residents claimed that Barkley exceeded the legal limit of six dogs, with one neighbor telling CBS 8, "We've counted five golden retriever puppies and four adults on top of the dog count already there," highlighting a persistent problem.
In her defense, Barkley pleaded not guilty at her arraignment; her readiness hearing is scheduled for December 4. Beyond the issue of dogs, there were also claims of Barkley pointing weapons at neighbors and neglect related to horses on another property she owns, in a statement obtained by CBS 8, one former Navy Seal neighbor detailed an alarming scene at Barkley's property, including squalid conditions and uncontrolled dogs breeding.
While the charges currently focus on dog-related nuisances, they allow for enhanced supervision that could protect animals across all of Barkley's properties. The prosecutor’s office emphasizes the commitment of their Animal Cruelty Prosecution Unit to handling such issues, noting that since its inception in 2018, the Unit has filed 368 criminal cases related to animal cruelty, including cases so grievous as a man sentenced to eight years for torturing and killing cats and another instance where a defendant fatally ran over a dog with his car, according to San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Despite the disturbing reports, the County Department of Animal Services clarifies that enforcement does not always involve the immediate seizure of animals but follows a procedure that escalates based on the severity of complaints. Officers have contacted Barkley regarding the dogs while having previously provided spay-neuter services. As of April 14, 2023, Barkley adhered to the county's limits on dog ownership, and the owner is not registered as a dog breeder. This is according to the Department's statement shared with CBS 8.
