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Citizens concerned that man known for neglecting animals owns horses again

Horses-legs-flat-out-behind-her,-struggling-to-move
A pregnant horse struggles in mud for as long as 3 days before being euthanized Tuesday afternoon, February 5, 2013. The owner was arrested and charged with animal neglect.

MASON CITY – A man who was banned from owning or caring for horses due to neglect once again has more horses, and people are phoning authorities seeking answers.

Ralph Stricker, 92, faced a charge of animal neglect causing serious injury or death after a horse he owned died on his property on February 5, 2013. Stricker was arrested that day and originally charged with simple misdemeanor animal neglect. The charge was later upgraded.

Stricker later pled guilty to livestock neglect and other charges and a judge decreed that Striker must “REMOVE PERMANENTLY ALL ANIMALS OF HUSBANDRY INCLUDING HORSES” from his property. This turned into a one year ban, and he seemed to evaporate out of the public consciousness.

However, Stricker’s career of of being is possession appears to be back in business, as over the last few days, onlookers have noticed, again, horses on Stricker’s property. Law enforcement has been notified, and the sheriff’s office appears to be responding.

“Ralph [Stricker] was banned for one year in Magistrate Court” from owning horses, Sheriff Kevin Pals tells NIT. “We have had several complaints since the animals are back. We have checked several tiems. All the animals are cared for when we have checked. He also has family members helping him.”

Back on that bitterly cold week in February of 2013, Ralph Stricker was informed that one of his horses was either sick or hurt and stuck in a muddy field in bitterly cold weather. Striker said he would check on it.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s office was notified, and they were keeping an eye on the female, pregnant horse. She was being seen by a veterinarian, being fed, given water and being kept warm, NIT was told then.

A couple of days later, the horse was still lying in the field, exposed to the cold with no shelter, and could not get up to walk. She was laying on her side at first, but when she tried to move, she had to drag herself by her front legs. Concerned citizens gathered at he scene on county road B20 just west of Highway 65 and demanded action be taken.

Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Koob said at the time, “I do believe that the horse is suffering. We either need to help the horse or she needs to be put down. There are not any charges yet. We have been out to this farm numerous times, between 50-75 calls have came in about animal neglect. We are legally bound because the owner will not give up owners rights. The Humane Society of North Iowa has been contacted and a horse rescue has been notified.”

As this all unfolded, the incident became even more tense when a local troublemaker / neighbor / helper of Stricker’s, Monte Neubauer, approached onlookers in an aggressive manner at the scene and confronted concerned citizens who were waiting for law enforcement to take action. A deputy intervened to force him to back off.

As reported, the horse later died and Stricker was jailed and charged.

Stricker, Ralph Adam SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
Stricker, Ralph Adam
PREVIOUSLY GUILTY AND BANNED FROM OWNING HORSES
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