Logan County Stock Owner Found Guilty Of Cruelty

US - On March 15th, 2010, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, acting on information by the public, executed a search warrant at 11515 CR 37 in Logan County. During the search, approximately 79 bovine carcases were located on the property in various stages of decay.
calendar icon 2 March 2011
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Several of the carcases were located in a livestock pond on the property and others were under mounds of hay. In addition, many of the cattle found alive were in poor body condition. Sixteen head of cattle were taken to the Sterling Livestock Commission Company because their immediate welfare was in question.

During the search of the property, Gilbert Dean Schuman, 57, of Schuman Cattle LLC, was contacted and taken into custody. Mr Schuman was charged with 16 counts of cruelty and held on a $5000 bond. Schuman’s next court date is set for March 29th, at 8:30 am.

This case remains under investigation, including determining causes for the large amount of dead cattle on the property.

Staff from the Colorado Department of Agriculture assisted the Logan County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation by providing livestock welfare information, large animal expertise, gathering of evidence, as well as logistical and veterinary support.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) continues to support and assist the Logan County Sheriff’s Office during this investigation. There are approximately 125 Bureau of animal Protection agents in Colorado; many are employees of public and private animal shelters, and local law enforcement organisations.

“The BAP agents play a vital role in the care and welfare of animals across the state by assisting local law enforcement agencies in their animal cruelty and neglect investigations,” said BAP Chief, Scot Dutcher. “Animal agriculture is a fundamental part of this state’s culture and food production system. Livestock must continue to be treated in a manner that is ethical and humane.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is pleased with the court’s ruling. We have spent a significant amount of time and effort working with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office investigators to provide a safe atmosphere for the cattle that Mr Schuman should have been caring for.

The court’s decision is a warning to all that abuse such as this will not be tolerated; my outrage is shared by Colorado’s livestock owners who consider the care and welfare of their cattle a top priority. I would like to thank the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s office for their perseverance in this case,” said State Veterinarian, Dr Keith Roehr.

Anytime animal cruelty charges are brought against a Colorado livestock owner, industry organisations monitor the situation.

“The act of compromising the health and wellbeing of livestock is unacceptable to the members of our industry” stated Steve Gabel, President of Colorado Livestock Association. “Livestock producers have the ethical responsibility to provide the highest care for all animals.”

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