Court Affirms Sentence Of Logan County Rancher

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Court of Appeals is affirming a decision to permanently bar a man from owning or raising cattle in Logan County.

A judge included the prohibition last year in sentencing Gilbert Dean Schuman, who was convicted of animal cruelty after authorities reported finding 79 cattle carcasses on his property in 2010. Schuman argued the harsh winter that year caught many ranchers by surprise.

Schuman argued the judge's decision was overly broad, but the appeals court ruled Aug. 30 that the judge's actions were authorized to enforce state laws against mistreatment of animals.

Schuman also argued the judge's order violated his constitutional rights to use his property to carry on a legitimate business, but the court said even rights to raise a child can be terminated in cases of neglect.

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