Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Hoarding - 50 to 60 animals

Hoarding - 50 to 60 animals
Waterloo, NE (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Jan 19, 2006
County: Douglas
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 4 files available

Abusers/Suspects:
» Donald Schmidt
» Judy Schmidt

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 7025

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull), horse, chicken, goat

View more cases in NE (US)

Humane Society investigators are in Waterloo, where they said 50 to 60 animals were found living in squalid conditions.

The story is still developing, but initial reports showed that the animals include horses, goats, cats, dogs and chickens. The location is near Waterloo along West Maple Road at about 230th Street.

The initial call came in about a horse. When investigators went to the property, they found more animals in dire conditions.

Sgt. Richard McShane, of the Douglas Co. Sheriff's Department, said it was one of the worst scenes that he has ever run across. There were live and dead animals in the same areas of the farm, McShane said.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Humane Society said the residents of the property will be charged with animal cruelty. Some horses and goats will have to be euthanized.

Deputies said the house is unlivable.

Case Updates

A Douglas County couple was sentenced on Thursday on charges of animal abuse in one of the worst cases investigators said they've ever seen.

The Nebraska Humane Society discovered dozens of dead and underweight animals on a farm near Waterloo in January. All but three of the animals rescued had to be euthanized, NHS said.

Donald and Judy Schmidt received a sentence of five days in jail, which they will serve immediately. They were both led from the courtroom in handcuffs. They'll be on probation for two years, and their ability to own pets will be restricted.

"We're going to put tight restraints on them to make sure these animals here are properly taken care of," said NHS's Mark Langan. "They've been ordered to come to the Nebraska Humane Society for animal care and maintenance classes. We'll make sure they do that, so we want to straighten out their lives so they can better take care of their animals."

The Schmidts were also ordered to pay $300 in restitution to NHS.

Source: KETV - Dec 7, 2006
Update posted on Dec 8, 2006 - 2:47PM

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Don has been convicted of Cruelty in the past and was fined $75.00. According to reports, the two ponies that were seized had to be put down, they were in so much pain. All the goats were seized and have now found new homes. The cats that were seized were able to be treated and placed in new homes. The dogs had to be euthanized due to behavior issues resulting from lack of socialization.

Source: Nebraska Humane Society
Update posted on Feb 11, 2006 - 12:30PM

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A Douglas County couple is facing numerous charges of animal neglect after 50 to 60 animals in various stages of neglect were found on their property. Authorities reportedly found as many as 50 to 60 animals on a property at 231st and West Maple Road, half of which are said to be dying. A meter-reader had concerns about the welfare of an animal on the property, which led to the discovery of poorly cared for horses, goats, geese, dogs and cats.

With the owners' permission, authorities euthanized two horses January 19, 2006. Several horses on the property were struggling to walk because their hooves were allowed to grow. "Classic example of hoarding problems," said Sergeant Richard McShane of Douglas County Sheriff's Department. "The basement is to the ceiling without any pathway through the basement to walk. The upstairs conditions are very, very deplorable. There is an old house trailer. Inside that house trailer is maybe a half a dozen cats, a goat that's near death. Why anyone would do that I don't have any idea." The humane society and several local vets are helping with the animals.

The names of the owners were not immediately released. They slowed the rescue efforts by denying investigators access to certain areas until a search warrant was obtained.

Source: WOWT News - January 23, 2006
Update posted on Jan 24, 2006 - 12:52PM

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KETV - Jan 19, 2006

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Hoarding - 50 to 60 animalsWaterloo, NE (US)

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Hoarding - 50 to 60 animals
Waterloo, NE (US)