Apr 24, 2009 7:21 pm US/Mountain
Rescued Horses Begin Road To Recovery
Written by Paul Day

Reporting
Paul Day
BRIDGEPORT, Neb. (CBS4) ―
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Horses rescued from 3 Strikes Ranch
Horse Rescue volunteers from Colorado are helping care for the surviving animals involved in the worst ever animal cruelty case in Nebraska.
"We're hoping to see some of the horses from Nebraska here next week," said Jodi Messenich, Executive Director of Zuma's Rescue Ranch in Douglas County
They are the lucky ones.
Upwards of 200 animals were rescued from the 3 Strike Ranch in Alliance, Nebraska.
Many were suffering from starvation and sorely overgrown hooves.
"I've seen some things I can't talk about," said Volunteer Jim Weber.
More than 60 dead animals were discovered on the same ranch by investigators.
"What I did see was two large areas, two large pits, that were basically filled with the bodies of dead horses," said Jerry Finch with the horse rescue group Habitat for Horses.
The survivors were brought to the Morrill County Fairgrounds for care.
"Get them fed and comfortable and start getting (them) in the position to be the horses they never had the chance to be." said Scotlund Haisley with the Humane Society of the U.S.
Jason Meduna was arrested and charged with one count of animal cruelty.
The 42-year-old is the owner of 3 Strikes Ranch.
He was responsible for the animal's care because he participates in adoption programs for unwanted horses or surplus wild horses that have been rounded up.
Messenich was driving from Nebraska back to Colorado Friday afternoon when she was reached on her cell phone by CBS4.
She said she helped photo-document the conditions on the ranch.
"Oh yeah, we have lots of pictures," said Messenich.
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