COUNTY ORDERS RAMONA FACILITY TO STOP ILLEGAL SHOOTING OF PIGS DURING MILITARY MEDIC TRAINING

By Miriam Raftery

November 21, 2015 (Ramona) – In response to a complaint filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) alleging live shooting of pigs for military training at Creek Hollow Ranch in Ramona, the County has sent a cease-and-desist order to Colleen Burman, president of Creek Hollow Ranch at 25279 Creek Hollow Drive, Ramona.

 Burman in turn sent a letter to Simmec Training Solutions canceling its contract (included in the cease and desist link with other documents provided in a records request and published online by the Ranter's Roost.)

PETA’s letter indicated that a whistleblower informed the animal rights group the SIMMEC was shooting and injuring live pigs during paramilitary training drills monthly at the site, which has an A72 agricultural zoning classification that does not permit such activities without a major use permit (MUP).

Similar activities were shut down by the county at Covert Canyon in Alpine, which recently received a stipulated enforcement order allowing firearms training of military, governmental and law enforcement groups – but without live fire during medic training. In the case of Covert Canyon, the county allowed anesthetized pigs to be used by medics for training, but without shooting.  Dummies are also being utilized for medic training at that site.

PETA’s letter to the County regarding Creek Hollow Ranch in Ramona, sent November 12^th, states, “SIMMEC’s apparently illegal land use for medical training is especially troubling because there is no need to mutilate and kill pigs for this purpose.  Military studies show that personnel who learn how to perform emergency medical procedures on human simulators instead of by maiming animals are as proficient as—or more so than – those trained using animals.”

The County Code Enforcement Officer Lorena Shingary responded promptly on November 16 with a letter to Burman advising that while the County had not inspected the property to verify illegal use, “if this type of training is occurring, this correspondence serves as a Cease & Desis Order and all training must immediately stop pending the issuance of a MUP.” 

The letter further noted that penalties for violating of the zoning ordinance can include citations up to $10,000 and civil penalties up to $50,000 a year per violation, as well as a civil injunction or referral to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.

Burman’s letter to Simmec, dated November 17, announces cancellation of the contract and makes no mention of seeking an MUP.  (Burman's letter is included in the link to the county document above.)

On the same date, Creek Hollow Ranch is listed for sale for just under $5 million on the Equestrian Real Estate site.  The sale listing describes the property as an equestrian complex on 350 acres of “pristine valley and rolling hills” that provide “a tranquil backdrop of natural surroundings for spending time with your horse,” as well as a covered arena, stalls and pastures.  “Your playground includes a state of the art, full service, multi-discipline equestrian training and boarding center surrounded by San Diego backcountry beauty abundant with native wildlife,” the listing concludes, making no mention of life-fire pig shooting or military-type activities.