BEATRICE – The Gage County Attorney says both sides in a case involving malnourished horses seized last August from two veterinary clinics continue working toward an acceptable resolution of what happens to the horses.


The animals, which have been cared for at a rural Crete animal rescue operation, have been in good shape thanks to donations and funding from Gage County that has gone toward the cost of their care.

County Clerk Dawn Hill said records show that total donations to the county have come to $12,515.  The county has paid $7,728 to Epona Horse Rescue and $5,266 to Crete Veterinary Clinic.


A volunteer for the horse rescue recently sent a letter saying that the horses are to be auctioned this weekend at a Palmyra sale barn. Harris said that’s been part of the negotiations on the civil side of the case.  Harris said,  "We've been working with the owner of the horses...the sheriff's office has, when I say we....to take care of some of the issues regarding the animals, long before we took our action in district court. The unfortunate thing, and I'm not going to apologize for it...there's a lot of information that flows through this office from reporting agencies that we look at...and see what's the best resolution, both for the citizens of Gage County, as well as the offenders and the animals involved."


Harris said he’s not at liberty to say whether an auction will go forward. He says the civil investigation continues and there’s also the potential for criminal charges.  Veterinarian Jennifer Glaesemann last summer was cited for 37 counts of animal neglect, after the investigation into animal neglect involving several horses at veterinary clinics in Beatrice and Pickrell.


Harris acknowledged the case has produced an emotional reaction over what happens to the animals.  "I'd love to share some of the e-mails I've been getting. I didn't realize I had that many fans out there in the world. I mean, from Canada...who have absolutely nothing to do with anything here in Gage County. They want to spread their wisdom to our office and help me out. A lot of that stuff you have to take with a grain of salt, but we're looking out for the best interests of this county as best we can on this situation. I would just tell people that social media is not where all the facts are."


A March 18th hearing is coming up in Gage County District Court on disposition of the horses. Hearings have been rescheduled several times following defense motions, seeking more time to resolve the matter.


"I think the people I'm hearing from, and that's fine, I understand their passion...but they need to understand too, that we're doing what we can to protect all interests here. Being personally attacked and accused of things.....it doesn't do anything good, because I'll tell them where those e-mails go, real quick."


Harris said the county cannot keep funding the care for the horses indefinitely, and he said appreciates the donations the county has received since the case originated. Although the Epona Horse Rescue has cared for the animals, Harris said the animals technically remain in the custody of the Gage County Sheriff’s Office.