BRIDGEPORT, Neb. -- A former Morrill County ranch owner was scheduled to go on trial today in a case that brought animal rescue groups to the Panhandle to rescue abused and neglected horses.
Morrill County authorities charged Jason Meduna, 43, in April with 149 charges of animal cruelty, a Class IV felony. Authorities said he abused and neglected more than 200 horses and burros in his care, according to search warrant affidavits in the case. A total of 74 dead horses were documented at the time the ranch was searched.
Morrill County Attorney Jean Rhodes said testimony in the case could begin on Monday, depending on jury selection. The state has subpoenaed about 20 witnesses and court documents indicate that the defense plans to call 10 witnesses. Five days have been set aside for trial.
The alleged abuse and neglect of the horse came to light because of actions by Meduna, according to a search warrant affidavit filed by Morrill County Sheriff John Edens
Before his arrest, Meduna had contacted media and lobbied for help through Internet Web postings, saying that neighbors were poisoning his horses and one horse had been stolen from the ranch. The Morrill County Sheriff’s Department was investigating those claims when concerns about the condition and treatment of the animals were brought to their attention.
The ranch, touted as a wild horse sanctuary for horses adopted by the Bureau of Land Management, has not operated since Meduna’s arrest.
Meduna now lives in Wahoo, Neb., after selling the embattled ranch in December.
If convicted, Meduna faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 or both for each count.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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