‘There will be no justice’: Protesters outraged over Gage County horse case

BEATRICE, Neb. (KLKN) – Protesters gathered in front of the Gage County Courthouse on Monday to demand justice one day before 37 horses head to auction.

They held up signs that said “Justice was not served” and “Lock Jennafer Glaesemann behind bars.”

Dr. Glaesemann, a veterinarian, was cited with 37 counts of animal neglect last August, and more than three dozen horses were seized from her.

But last week, Gage County Attorney Roger Harris announced he would not be charging Glaesemann.

SEE ALSO: Volunteers tending to horses seized in Gage County as caretaker recovers from injury

“There will be no justice for the horses that died as long as Jennafer is allowed to live her life and practice the way she has been,” protester Annie Hasselbalch said. “All we can do is raise awareness, and hopefully other animals won’t die.”

Harris said some of the horses tested positive for a virus, which he said makes it hard to prove abuse.

He also cited outside misinformation and influence on the case.

SEE ALSO: Prosecutor explains why Gage County horse owner wasn’t charged

But protesters said he’s not doing his job to serve justice.

“The fact that there’s a lack of evidence is strictly just a lack of looking, and he should be held accountable for that,” Hasselbalch said.

Jenni Riha, a veterinary technician, said if the horses had a virus, Glaesemann should have eased their pain instead of waiting for them to die.

“This is a doctor of veterinary medicine; she knew what she was doing,” Riha said. “She knew how to do things better.”

She said this case puts all vets in a bad light.

“I’m embarrassed that this is a colleague,” Riha said. “I don’t understand. If these horses came into her care and were so horrible, she had the opportunity to euthanize them on her own free will.”

SEE ALSO: Seized Gage County horses are ‘lively’ after being transferred to rescue

The protesters hope to raise awareness in the community, even if they can’t change the outcome of the case.

“Hopefully, there is some way that evidence can be brought forward,” Riha said. “In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that she needs to have her license revoked.”

More than three dozen horses that were seized will be headed to an auction in Palmyra on Tuesday afternoon.

Epona Horse Rescue, which has been taking care of the horses for almost seven months, has raised $55,000 in an effort to buy them.

SEE ALSO: Volunteers seek to save seized Gage County horses from the auction block