A Coos County judge sentenced the former owner of a roadside zoo on the Oregon Coast to 7 1/2 years in prison for neglecting dozens of animals and several other crimes Sept. 8.
Circuit Court Judge Andrew Comes also ordered Brian Tenney of Bandon to pay approximately $340,000 in restitution, according to court records. He will serve three years post-prison supervision. He is also barred from possessing or living with any domestic animals and may not possess several classes of animals for 15 years.
Tenney, 54, was convicted of dozens of counts of first- and second-degree animal neglect, one count of delivery of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a machine gun, short-barreled firearm or firearms silencer and racketeering, court records show.
He pleaded guilty to 47 counts of first- and second-degree animal neglect, one count of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a machine gun, reckless endangerment and racketeering in April 2026.
He is required to forfeit deceased animals and four chickens to the Oregon Humane Society. Tenney is also required to forfeit weapons the Coos County Sheriff's Office seized, court records show.
Tenney inherited the zoo as a family business that operated since the early 1970s, according to court records. He became the owner in 2006.
Oregon State Police raided the facility along with local, state and federal agencies in May 2025, court records show.
The agencies arrested Tenney and seized and relocated 310 animals to animal sanctuary and rescue facilities, according to court records. At least three of the rescued animals were euthanized because their conditions were too severe for relocation or treatment.
Tenney devoted much of his adult life trying to continue his family legacy, Tenney's attorneys said.
He will serve 15 days in the Coos County Jail before his sentence in the Oregon Department of Corrections, court records show.
Katie Livermore covers public safety and breaking news for the Statesman Journal. Livermore can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Former owner of Oregon Coast safari park sentenced for animal neglect