Father-son ranchers near North Platte accused of 150 counts of animal abuse

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A father-son cattle ranching duo were arrested Wednesday after deputies found over 150 dead livestock on their farm near North Platte.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that deputies have been investigating livestock abuse in several rural areas over the last several weeks.

During the investigation, the sheriff’s office got information that livestock were not being taken care of at a farm operated by Larry Mikolyck and his son, Matthew.

Authorities then served a search warrant at the rural Lincoln County farm on Wednesday and found over 150 dead cattle on the property.

The sheriff’s office says that there were also several sick and dying bulls, cows and calves on the property.

Deputies noticed “very little substantial” food and water sources for the cattle, according to the sheriff’s office.

Larry, 75, and Matthew, 41, were arrested on suspicion of 150 counts of animal cruelty and neglect resulting in death, a class IIIA felony.

Both were lodged in the Lincoln County Jail.

If convicted, they could face up to four years in prison.

On Thursday, deputies from Logan, Thomas and Lincoln Counties and Nebraska brand inspectors seized all the cattle on the Mikolycks’ farm.

Over 1,000 bulls, cows and calves were taken to the North Platte Sale Barn to be inspected by a veterinarian.

The sheriff’s office says “numerous” cattle had to be put down on the scene due to them being “very sick, injured and dying.”

An investigation is ongoing, and the Mikolycks could be facing additional charges.