Grand Island man gets probation for animal abuse

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - A Grand Island man convicted of felony cruelty to livestock will be on probation for the next four years.

According to officials, 43-year-old Grant Edwardson was convicted on three felony counts of cruelty to livestock and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to livestock. Numerous other similar charges were dropped in a plea agreement.

A judge Tuesday sentenced Edwardson to 48 months probation on the felony charges and 24 months on the misdemeanors. The sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time. The sentence order also provides for a jail term if Edwardson fails probation.

In 2021, Hall County Sheriff deputies responded to a barn fire in Grand Island. Court records show investigators found deceased cattle in a pen, not directly next to the barn, with drag marks showing the cattle were moved. Investigators also found a shelter with dead cattle in three stalls and another dead cow in the middle of the pen under a wood panel.

They also found several live cows in poor condition.

In all, they found 21 dead cows and six living ones. A veterinarian concluded that the animals had not been fed properly.