Charges Filed in Horse Case | Video

Retha Colclasure | 2/13/2013

The first of what could be dozens of charges against a Morton County landowner accused of neglecting his horses were filed this afternoon. The Burleigh County State`s Attorney`s office filed four misdemeanor counts of Overworking, Mistreating or Abandoning Animals against Bill Kiefer. Three of the charges relate to animals that were found dead in a pasture near Menoken at the end of January.

One was a mule/donkey with a blue halter, another was a yearling paint horse, and another was a dark brown horse. The fourth charge accuses him of depriving other animals on the property of food, water and shelter.

"We believe he wasn`t adequately feeding or providing adequate water or shelter or care for these animals and it came to the point where we were concerned some of these animals would perish if we didn`t take action," said Assistant Burleigh County State`s Attorney Jeff Ubben.

Another 96 dead horses were found on Kiefer`s land in Morton County. Those animals were buried yesterday, and charges against him in Morton County are expected to be filed sometime this week.

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