Nebraska woman faces 41 charges after numerous dogs rescued from home

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KOLN) – A Nebraska woman faces 41 charges after dozens of dogs were rescued June 5 from her home in Scotts Bluff County.

The Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office was called to a home east of Scottsbluff around 2 p.m. for a report of possible animal abuse. According to court records, a dog from the home had been seen on Highway 26.

When deputies arrived, they contacted the owner of the dogs, 75-year-old Jody Staman. While speaking with Staman outside the home, a deputy saw numerous small dogs in wire cages. Further investigation found some of the dogs did not have food or water, and several were breathing heavily and appeared stressed. Dogs that did have water had bowls filled with algae, vegetation and mud. The dirt floors were covered in dog feces.

Staman told deputies she used to sell the dogs but stopped around 2020. She said she originally had 30 dogs and one puppy.

Deputies later returned with assistance from Nebraska Game and Parks and members of the Panhandle Humane Society. Court records state 40 live dogs and one dead puppy were collected from the property. Another puppy, which was in poor health, was taken to the Wildflower Animal Cottage.

Deputies and PHS staff described the conditions as “deplorable,” with the residence covered in dog and rodent feces. In some areas, animal feces were more than one foot deep. In most areas, it was impossible to take a step without stepping in feces.

Staman was charged with 40 counts of cruel neglect of an animal and one count of cruel neglect of an animal resulting in death.

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