Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Cattle neglect - 170 seized

Cattle neglect - 170 seized
North Platte, NE (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Mar 31, 2006
County: Lincoln
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abuser/Suspect: Ronald E. Tenbensel

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 7940

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: cow

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The Lincoln County Sheriff�s Office seized approximately 170 head of cattle from the Ronald Tenbensel pasture 17 miles south of Sutherland March 31.

According to LCSO Chief Deputy Jerry Wilson, the cattle were in various stages of malnutrition, dehydration and starvation. Ronald E. Tenbensel, 53, 1815 W 13th, was cited with 170 counts of animal neglect, processed and released on his own recognizance.

Animal neglect is a Class-I misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of one year imprisonment, a $1,000 fine or both.

Wilson said deputies received a complaint about the animals and investigated the ranch then obtained a search warrant.

On March 31, deputies enlisted the assistance of other ranchers, rounded up the cattle and moved them to an undisclosed location. Wilson said the name of the rancher caring for the cattle did not want his name released so as not to have any trouble with Tenbensel.

The cattle will be cared for until they can be evaluated for final disposition.

A nearby neighbor said several of the cattle had died and that they had been without water and little to eat for days.

The investigation has been turned over to Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Meyer, Wilson said.

Wilson said that in all his years at the Lincoln County Sheriff�s Office, he had never known this many cattle to be seized before.

Case Updates

A 53-year-old North Platte man has pleaded guilty to five counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. In April, Ronald Tenbensel had pleaded not guilty to ten counts of cruelty to animals.

He originally was cited with 170 counts of animal abuse after 170 head of cattle were seized March 31 by Lincoln County sheriff�s deputies from a ranch 17 miles south of Sutherland.

The cattle were suffering from various stages of malnutrition, dehydration and starvation, officials said.

Tenbensel is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 25.

Source: Journal Star - June 24, 2006
Update posted on Jun 28, 2006 - 3:53PM

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A Lincoln County rancher charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty for allegedly starving his herd, pleaded not guilty in Lincoln County Court Monday.

North Platte attorney Brad Dawson is Tenbensel's attorney.

The Lincoln County Sheriff�s Office seized approximately 170 head of cattle from the Ronald Tenbensel pasture 17 miles south of Sutherland March 31.

According to LCSO Chief Deputy Jerry Wilson, the cattle were in various stages of malnutrition, dehydration and starvation.

Ronald E. Tenbensel, 53, 1815 W 13th, was cited with 170 counts of animal neglect. He was processed and released on his own recognizance.

Animal neglect is a Class-I misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of one-year imprisonment, a $1,000 fine or both.

Wilson said deputies received a complaint about the animals and investigated the ranch, then obtained a search warrant.

An affidavit said approximately 100 head of cattle were dead or dying, including animal carcasses and live cattle that were down and couldn�t get up.

The cattle that were down were being preyed on by predator animals while still alive, the affidavit said, slowly eaten to death as they lay in distress.

A deputy also observed there were multiple cattle skeletal remains, dead and dying cow and calf pairs, according to the affidavit, and the cattle were without any feed, forage or water.

Some of the baby calves were eating bailing twine, the deputy reported, and some of the water troughs were full of mud while others were bone dry. The deputies determined that the cows had been abandoned, cruelly mistreated and criminally neglected.

On March 31, deputies enlisted the assistance of other ranchers, rounded up the cattle and moved them to an undisclosed location. Wilson said the name of the rancher caring for the cattle did not want his name released so as not to have any trouble with Tenbensel.

The cattle will be cared for until they can be evaluated for final disposition.

A nearby neighbor said the herd had been without water and had little to eat for days.

Deputies impounded 100 crossbred cows, 67 crossbred calves and two black bulls. The estimated value of the cattle was $115,000.

The investigation has been turned over to Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Meyer, Wilson said.

Meyer said he is reviewing the reports and expects to file charges against Tenbensel in the future.

Wilson said that in all his years at the Lincoln County Sheriff�s Office, he had never known this many cattle to be impounded before.

Source: North Platte Bulletin - April 10, 2006
Update posted on Apr 10, 2006 - 3:45PM

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North Platte News - April 3, 2006

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Cattle neglect - 170 seizedNorth Platte, NE (US)

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Cattle neglect - 170 seized
North Platte, NE (US)