MASON CITY – A rural Mason City man is set to appear Wednesday in court in a case of animal neglect that occurred last week.
Ralph Stricker, 89, now faces a more serious charge after a horse he owned died on his property on February 5th. Stricker was arrested that day and originally charged with simple misdemeanor animal neglect. On February 8th, the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office filed an upgraded charge of animal neglect causing serious injury or death.
A pregnant horse owned by Stricker was euthanized on February 5th after sustaining an unknown injury and laying in a field for a number of days. Â Onlookers had gathered at the scene – just north of Highway B-20 and west of Highway 65 – and had made numerous calls to authorities about the condition of the horse.
In a related matter, Stricker appeared in court Monday to face a charge of livestock neglect – a simple misdemeanor – from a citation filed by Mason City police on January 22nd, 2013. Â He was released on his own recognizance.
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
