LI Animal Sanctuary Facing 112 Counts Of Animal Neglect: DA

MANORVILLE, NY — A Manorville animal sanctuary has been slapped with more than 100 counts of animal neglect, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Friday.

Double D Bar Ranch, Inc., a"self-proclaimed animal sanctuary in Manorville," was arraigned on 112 counts of animal neglect, Tierney said. Specifically, it was alleged that Double D Bar Ranch neglected a broad variety of animals by failing to provide them with proper care, including adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, he said.

The animals that were allegedly neglected included, but were not limited to, cows, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, a mule, and an alpaca, the DA said.

According to the investigation, beginning in early January 2025, Suffolk County Police
Department detectives assigned to the DA Office's Biological, Environmental, and Animal
Safety Team (BEAST) began visiting Double D Bar Ranch almost daily after receiving numerous
complaints about the welfare of animals on the property, Tierney said.

The complaints were exacerbated by the frigid, sub-zero temperatures that were consistently occurring at the time, Tierney said.

Once on the property, detectives allegedly observed hundreds of animals with improper shelter and no access to liquid water, the DA said.

Among the animals on the property were a dog, cats, horses, cows, goats, sheep, an alpaca, pigs, chickens, turkeys, mules, peacocks, and assorted waterfowl, the DA said. Some animals were reportedly found deceased, the DA said.

Several animals allegedly had untreated medical conditions including dental disease, tumors, matting, untreated wounds, lameness, respiratory infections, arthritis, emaciation, swollen body parts, and overgrown hooves, claws, and nails, Tierney said.

BEAST detectives spent several weeks working with various public and private partners to triage the animals, the DA said. BEAST detectives worked hundreds of hours on-premises personally tending to the animals' needs, Tierney said.

Dozens of animals of various species have since been removed and efforts to remediate the premises are continuing, Tierney said.

An appearance ticket was issued on February 11, he added.

On Thursday, Double D Bar Ranch was arraigned on 112 charges before District Court Judge Susan Berland, the DA said.

BEAST prosecutors requested two court orders, which were both granted by Judge Berland. Those orders directed Double D Bar Ranch to not take in any additional animals during the pendency of the case, and for law enforcement to continuously monitor the welfare of the animals that are still on the Double D Bar Ranch property, the DA said.

Double D Bar Ranch is due back in court on February 24; the corporation is represented by Nora Constance Marino and Joseph W. Murray, who issued a statement to Patch: "This despicable press release by the DA’s office is indicative of the government overreach by prosecutors and law enforcement drunk with power," they wrote. It is shockingly arrogant and irresponsible. It contains numerous statements that are not accurate and are purposely misleading. The DA’s office is on an obvious witch hunt with the intent to poison the jury pool, humiliate our client, and dissuade Double D’s donors."

The attorneys added: "They are obviously seeking to put our client out of business, without any due process whatsoever. How they can write what they did, based on mere allegations at this point, which we flatly dispute and that have not been proven, is beyond disturbing, it isdownright scary, for all citizens of Suffolk County, and the DA’s behavior raises serious ethicaland constitutional concerns which will be explored. Double D has operated its sanctuary for 28 years, without incident, and has been a trusted resource by many in the community, to save and nurture unwanted and discarded animals. What the DA’s office is trying to do is truly outrageous, and will ultimately hurt, not help, unwanted animals."

Tierney also commented in his release: "No matter what name it operates under, a ‘sanctuary’ is not a sanctuary when it becomes a place of suffering," Tierney said. "Our commitment to protecting animals is unwavering. When those who claim to provide care instead allow neglect and cruelty, we will take necessary action. This prosecution reflects our dedication to ensuring that no animal is left to suffer without food, water, shelter, or medical attention. We are grateful to our many partners, law enforcement and beyond, who stepped in and stepped up for these animals."

Last year, Richard DeVoe, who said he was the owner of the ranch, set up a GoFundMe page, where he said his wife Gay had died.

"I am Richard Devoe. My wife and I started Double D Bar Ranch to provide a sanctuary for abused and unwanted farm animals," he wrote. "We have been around for over 30 years doing what we can, for all the animals that join our family. We are a non-profit organization that relies on donations to help fund the animals on our ranch. Since my wife died June 23, 2024 ,it has been hard, as my wife was the one with all the knowledge on getting us donations and helping fund our passion. I am at a plea for help. . . I truly want Double D Bar Ranch to live on forever. So please help me save not only my home — but the home of our 250-plus animals that live here."

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office thanked the following organizations, businesses, and offices for their "tireless work" in the case:

- 13 Hands Equine Rescue
- Blue Arrow Farm
- Deep Hollow Ranch
- Eastern Snouts
- Humane Long Island
- Mattituck Laurel Veterinary Hospital
- Suffolk County Farm / Cornell Cooperative Extension
- The Suffolk County Executive’s Office
- The Town of Brookhaven