Farm-rancher accused of animal neglect

The farmer/rancher, whose name has not been released, could face charges of animal cruelty in the death of those cattle and for the poor health of 143 head of cattle sold in January, all of which he owned and held in pens and pastures at his mother's farm, which is south and east of his farmhouse.

According to an affidavit for a search warrant requested Jan. 29 by Red Willow County Deputy Lt. Burke Curl, he and David Horton of Alma, an investigator with the Nebraska Brand Committee, visited the farm on Jan. 14 and discovered 12 cattle which had apparently gone onto an icy pond in search of water and died on the ice. The men found 45-50 other dead cattle and 80-100 live cattle in poor condition, and no visible feed or alternate source of water.

According to the affidavit, the herd consisted of bulls (one of which was suffering from a condition called "cancer eye," resulting in a growth the size of a basketball), cows, steers, heifers and calves.

The farmer/rancher told Curl and Horton that he had no way to feed the cattle because his tractor broke down, but that he was getting feed from a neighbor, who told the officers that he had provided the farmer/rancher with 45-50 round bales of cane since October.

Curl's affidavit indicates that his and Horton's experience with cattle would tell them that that amount of cane would not be sufficient to feed that many cattle for that long.

The farmer/rancher agreed to feed his cattle and sell them by Jan. 28 and made arrangements to sell them on Jan. 21 and Jan. 28 at a McCook sale barn. No cattle were sold on Jan. 21, because, according to the affidavit, the farmer/rancher told officers, it was too cold. He agreed to sell the cattle at another sale barn on Jan. 24 and at the first barn on Jan. 28. The affidavit indicates that the cattle were still not being feed and watered sufficiently.

The farmer/rancher did not sell cattle on Jan. 24, because, he told officers, he had two flat tires on a pickup. There still was not sufficient feed and water to the cattle, Curl indicates.

The sheriff's office then contacted a relative of the farmer/rancher who agreed to feed and water the cattle and help the farmer/rancher haul the cattle to the first sale barn on Jan. 28.

On Jan. 28, the relative helped haul 143 head of cattle to the first sale barn, and the cattle were sold.

On Jan. 29, Curl requested a search warrant to establish the cause of death of the deceased cattle and the reason for the poor health of the living cattle. Although the affidavit requested permission to inspect, care for or impound any live cattle, there were none on the farm.

The affidavit indicates that officers found skeleton frames of bare bones and carcasses covered with hide, with heads and limbs attached.

Sheriff Gene Mahon said said Monday afternoon that the farmer/rancher was burying the bodies of the dead cattle. Mahon said that Curl would continue checking throughout the week to ascertain that the order regarding disposal of all the bodies is complied with completely. Mahon said that the investigation continues.

Whether charges of animal cruelty (a Class IV felony, in violation of Nebraska statute 28-1009 (1)) are filed is up to the county attorney, Mahon said.