Gage County Sheriff conducting livestock welfare investigation

GAGE COUNTY, Neb - The Gage County Sheriff's Office is looking into the welfare of horses in a central Gage County town. 

A Facebook post from Gage County Sheriff Gus Gustafson, says the sheriff's office has received a number of calls with citizens concerned for the well being of livestock. 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.

Gustafson says the investigation is a complex one with numerous factors to consider and state law guides the sheriff's office on what is required for proper care of the animals involved. Citizens are also reminded not to trespass on to private property to tend to horses as trespassing is illegal under state law. 

When the specific affected mare was brought into Gage County, it was from what is considered a "kill pen" where she was likely exposed to a number of disease issues. The sheriff's office says in these pens, horses 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.

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.

The investigation remains ongoing.