Colorado officials confiscate bison herd, charge owner with neglect

State and local officials seized numerous bison from a private ranch in northwestern Colorado on Saturday and plan to file multiple animal cruelty charges against the owner.

The proprietor, nevertheless, stated that his bison are raised without medication and are in good health, merely appearing slim in comparison to other commercially raised animals.

The Moffat County Sheriff's Office started looking into the herd a month ago "as part of an initiative to address continuous issues about the animals' care and health," according to a statement from MCSO. "Even with these efforts, officials found that additional steps were required to ensure the well-being of the animals."

Around 90 animals were taken from the Lay Valley Bison Ranch, situated between Craig and Maybell, on Saturday. Staff from the Colorado Bureau of Animal Protection and the Colorado State Veterinary Office helped Moffat County in the removal of the animals.

Two bison lost their lives during the procedure. Two additional bison and a mule "were peacefully put down to avoid more distress," as stated by the sheriff's office.

"It was quite tough on the bison, the roundup," said Dan Martin, owner of Lay Valley, to CBS Colorado the next day, opting for a broader term to refer to the animals.

Martin stated that he has been raising bison for 45 years. In the past 30 years, they have been raised without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or grain.

I provide my animals with a natural approach," Martin stated. "They tend to remain slim. Nowadays, people believe they should be somewhat heavier and more sturdy.

His livestock are allowed to graze on grassy fields, Martin stated, and are given additional nutrition through a high-protein alfalfa hay. They won't resemble the beef cattle seen at the National Western Stock Show, he noted.

I'm not trying to make an impression with their size," Martin stated. "Modern times have put more pressure on the buffalo. I don't support that. (Lay Valley bison) do receive food. I don't think they were in poor health at all.

John Graves, the current leader of the Rocky Mountain Bison Association, co-owner of JG Bison in Sheridan, Wyoming, and former manager of the Ralphie program at CU Boulder, states that animal protection officials are experts. He has communicated with Martin, the sheriff's department, and the state agricultural board, but he has not viewed the confiscated bison or their health assessments.

It's a regrettable scenario for all concerned," Graves stated on Sunday. "They (authorities) always aim to avoid reaching the point where they must take animals into custody. It's a final option.

However, he added, "Dan understands his work. Bison are significantly different from regular cattle. They may seem as if their bones are more visible compared to beef cattle. They naturally lose weight during the winter and appear 'disheveled' when they shed their fur. To the typical person, comparing bison to beef cattle is not the same. Bison look much more slender. They are naturally lean animals."

Bison usually shed 10% of their body weight throughout the winter, and then gain back weight during the summer, as noted by Graves.

In 2022, the U.S. Census reported 9,555 bison in Colorado's private herds, as stated by the Rocky Mountain Bison Association. This marked the fifth-largest bison population among U.S. states. Colorado was home to the second-highest number of bison producers in the nation. The typical herd size during that year was 87 animals.

The Moffat County Sheriff's Office press release states that the confiscated Lay Valley bison are being looked after and assessed.

In that release, MCSO included images of bones and skulls, likely belonging to dead bison, and likely captured on the Lay Valley property. No clarification was given.

Martin admitted to stacking bison carcasses in a gully as a method for preventing soil erosion. The photograph displays dead animals he has positioned there over the course of 45 years.

Each rancher experiences the loss of some animals," he stated. "No one enjoys witnessing an animal's death. However, it is a normal challenge to face when raising livestock.

Graves also referred to the selection as a single location for the disposal of dead animals, stating it was "standard practice."

Martin mentioned that 85% of the animals confiscated "were in reasonably good condition."

Animals that are not in good condition, he mentioned, were due to inbreeding within a closed population. He noted that he aims to produce stronger animals by breeding within the herd and avoids introducing outside genetics. This approach can lead to better-quality animals when the genetic combinations work well, as Martin explained. However, he acknowledges that it also increases the chance of unfavorable genetic matches, resulting in weaker animals—called runts. He tries to provide these animals with a few years of quality life before they are slaughtered early.

Martin stated that he is being charged $10 per day for each animal that was taken into custody.

Not a bad price," he remarked, "but I can't sustain my business for too long at this rate.

He is seeking to have the case brought before a judge at the earliest opportunity. He will claim that the conflict stems from differing approaches to management, rather than from neglect or abuse.

Share :