A convicted animal abuser’s sentencing hearing Monday morning inside the South County Courthouse came with mixed emotions from the dozen women in attendance who were glad to hear the felony conviction but not as satisfied with the length of jail time the defendant received.
Local rancher Humberto Rivas Uribe, 51, agreed to a 90-day jail sentence, five years of probation with counseling and will no longer own, have care or custody of any animals for at least 10 years.
“A felony conviction is a huge thing,” said Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Alexandra Ellis as she answered questions from the group of horse advocates just outside the courtroom immediately after the Jan. 5 proceedings. “We wanted to act as swiftly and as efficiently as we possibly could.”
Ellis told them the district attorney’s office accomplished its three goals: holding Uribe accountable (which came with the felony conviction rather than a misdemeanor); making sure he wasn’t allowed to have any more horses under his care and had to receive counseling; and finding suitable new homes for the nearly 40 emaciated horses removed from his two ranches.
However, with 45 days of time served in county jail and 44 days accumulated of good and work time while incarcerated since his arrest Nov. 14, Uribe will be released from custody Tuesday.
“I don’t think the penalty fit the crime,” said Suzie Manzies of Woodside. “But I think this case does set a precedent.”
Uribe was charged with animal cruelty by the DA’s Office Nov. 14, following months of complaints from residents, according to authorities. His horses—which he housed on a pasture in Morgan Hill and a ranch in Gilroy—were seized by the county’s Animal Care and Control office Nov. 13. A total of 38 horses were seized and authorities have been seeking healthy homes for the animals, some of which have been placed with equine rescue centers in the South Bay Area.
Manzies explained that five years of probation and 10 years of not being allowed to have or care for horses was more impactful than a longer jail sentence because “the animals are safer.” She, like many of the women who stuck around after the Jan. 5 hearing, commended the DA’s office for a job well done, but they said their mission was not done yet.
“Animal Control is our next target,” added Manzies, who shared in the group’s disdain for the handling of the situation by the county’s Animal Care and Control Unit. They believe that animal control did not take prompt action, which led to the continued deterioration of the horses’ health and well-being.
“I’m disappointed,” said Morgan Hill resident Leslie Daniel, a neighbor of Uribe’s Maple Avenue ranch. “To me he got a slap on the hand. To me he deserved more jail time.”
But Daniel did say the sentencing brought a little bit of closure to a situation that dates back nearly four years.
“We’re still going to be watching him (when he gets out),” she noted.
While on probation, Uribe, now a convicted felon, is subject to searches without the need of a warrant and must routinely check in with his probation officer starting two days from his release, according to authorities.
As Superior Court Judge Edward F. Lee announced the details of the plea agreement—which also included dropping a second felony charge—Uribe, dressed in a gray county jail jumpsuit, said he understood what he was agreeing to and the terms of his release.
“There’s nothing more horrendous than the victimization of things that cannot defend themselves,” said Lee during the sentencing.
Prior to that, Lee acknowledged the many letters submitted to the court from concerned residents about the defendant’s prolonged neglect of the horses, but did not allow any of the 12 horse advocates in attendance to address the court.
While Uribe must pay various amounts of restitution to the court, totaling about $1,000, he is also due back in court March 13 at 9 a.m. for a restitution hearing where it will be determined how much, if any, he must pay back to the various animal rescue centers and private owners that have taken in and cared for the horses previously under his care. An animal rescue in Paicines paid him $11,000 in September to purchase 10 horses, one of which died the following morning.
“I’m really glad to hear that he’s going to have to pay restitution,” said Morgan Hill resident Trina Hinesar, who lived directly across the street from Uribe.
Hinesar, however, said after the Jan. 5 hearing that she wishes Uribe was prohibited from owning a horse ever again, and not just for the next 10 years. Also, she plans on attending the county’s Animal Advisory Commission’s Jan. 8 meeting where a discussion will take place on how situation was handled by county staff.
“I’m glad he’s going to have a lot of counseling. That’s what’s important for me, so he can learn how to properly take care of animals,” said Carolyn LaCoe of Gilroy who is fostering two pregnant mares taken from Uribe’s Center Avenue ranch in Gilroy.
In all, seven rescues and six residents have taken in and are now caring for the horses seized from Uribe, according to LaCoe.
LaCoe said while she’s seen animal abuse cases before, this one in particular was “pretty extreme.” She came to the courthouse Monday because “I wanted to make sure he was being held accountable.”
