Hold your horses: Gage County sheriff says animal welfare investigation is ‘complex’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Authorities in Gage County are suggesting that recent allegations of animal neglect aren’t cut and dried.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson said on Facebook on Wednesday that the sheriff’s office has received numerous calls about the welfare of horses near Pickrell.

He said the owner is cooperating with the “complex, technical, and ongoing investigation.”

The sheriff urged people not to trespass or “interfere with the care of the horses.”

A mare on the property was rescued from a “kill pen” and is being treated, Gustafson said.

“They are on a specialized diet and overfeeding or providing the wrong type of food, such as dumping grain or hay onto the property where they can get to it, may adversely impact their treatment and recovery,” he said.

The sheriff’s office said it is working with other agencies and agriculture professionals in the investigation.

“There are numerous factors to consider and state law guides the sheriff’s office on what is required for proper care of the equines involved,” Gustafson said.

Read the full statement from the sheriff:

“The Gage County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous calls regarding the welfare of livestock (horses) by Pickrell.

The sheriff’s office is working with various agencies, agrarian professionals, investigators, among others, and the owner and veterinarian providing care is cooperating with the sheriff’s office during this investigation. This is a complex, technical, and ongoing investigation. There are numerous factors to consider and state law guides the sheriff’s office on what is required for proper care of the equines involved.

The sheriff’s office reminds people to not trespass onto the property or interfere with the care of the horses. Trespassing is illegal under state law.

When the specific affected mare was brought into Gage County she was from what is colloquially considered a “kill pen” where she was likely exposed to a number of disease issues. They are on a specialized diet and overfeeding or providing the wrong type of food, such as dumping grain or hay onto the property where they can get to it, may adversely impact their treatment and recovery by introducing an unknown factor or possibly even create issues that interfere with their planned treatment.

Prior exposure could cause issues with recurrence under stress (herpesvirus) and/or exaggerated immune response to the infection that can attack muscle and/or blood cells.

Additionally numerous veterinary specialists, including board certified pathologists, toxicologists, theriogenologists, internal medicine specialists, and equine specific practitioners have been consulted in the veterinarian’s diagnostic investigation and treatment plan, which is per reports we have received.”