- Nebraska, USA -
~ Update: January 11, 2023
On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, a Sarpy County District Court Judge sentenced 57-years-old EDWARD E. LUBEN (pictured), to three years in prison for felony animal cruelty and neglect. After the sentence is complete, LUBEN will be placed on nine months of supervised release.
LUBEN additionally received a 15-year ban on “owning, harboring, or residing with any animal.”
In December 2021, the Nebraska Humane Society removed 665 animals from LUBEN’s Papillion’s home, including exotic birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.
Sadly, around 70 animals were found dead and two animals had to be euthanized due to the extent of their injuries.
LUBEN had been facing twelve felony and misdemeanor charges, but in October 2022, he agreed to enter the guilty pleas to three of the abandonment/cruelly neglect charges, in exchange for the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office dismissing nine other charges of cruelty to animals, including four felonies.
The idea of an animal abuser that has the option of negotiating lives and crimes with a DA makes my blood boil!!!
~ Original story:
In December 2021, the Nebraska Humane Society seized and removed 665 animals from a Papillion home on Kilkinny Circle near Shannon Road, including exotic birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
Sadly, around 70 animals were found dead and two animals had to be euthanized due to the extent of their injuries.
Three months later, the Sarpy County Attorney has filed charges of animal abandonment and neglect against 56-years-old EDWARD LUBEN (pictured).
Sarpy County's Chief Deputy County Attorney Bonnie Moore said it's still unclear what LUBEN intended to do with all the animals or how he got them in his possession.
Back in December, the vice president of the Nebraska Humane Society Steve Glandt said:
“Cages were filthy, some (animals) appear not to have been fed for quite some time. Many of the animals appeared to have been in poor health.”
On Thursday, March 24, the Nebraska Humane Society posted on their Facebook page an update on the case and on the animal victims of this case.
They also explained why it took so long to file charges against LUBEN.
Part of the post read: “In order for charges to be pressed, our medical team, along with the help of several other veterinarians, had to perform forensic exams on every single animal. This painstaking process took about three months to complete.”
The post goes on to say that “Many of the animals are facing lifelong health issues due to neglect and poor care. Those have and will be placed at licensed and accredited facilities where compassionate staff will be able to monitor them and provide immediate veterinary care.”
Some of the animals were ready to be adopted and are thankfully in their furever homes.
Unfortunately, there are more than 100 animals who are still at the shelter receiving treatment.
Deputy County Attorney Dominique Jones who has been working closely with the Nebraska Humane Society and Papillion Police Department said: “These animals were living in deplorable conditions. Many of them were severely malnourished or had physical impairments due to their living conditions. The fact that so many of the animals survived is a testament to the Nebraska Humane Society’s work. They spent countless time and resources rescuing the animals.”
LUBEN was booked into Sarpy County Jail on Wednesday, March 23, on seven counts of abandon or cruelly neglect an animal (serious injury or death).
He was released after posting a paltry $1,000 bond!
Ms. Moore said that LUBEN will also be booked on five misdemeanor cruelty charges.
If convicted of all 12, LUBEN could get more than 35 years behind bars.
LUBEN is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on April 12,2022.
KETV reports that the Nebraska Humane Society was also called to LUBEN’s home back in 2008 and on that occasion, they removed around 250 animals.
Field Operations Officer Ronald Schlabs with the Nebraska Humane Society said that although the agency has an internal database, there's not a solid way to keep track of offenders years later. Officer Schlabs explained: “Because they are not under court orders anymore. They don’t have to cooperate or speak to us.”
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #nebraska #sentence
Additional Sources:
