Colorado authorities seize nearly 100 bison in neglect case

Colorado authorities seized about 90 bison and one mule from Lay Valley Bison Ranch in Moffat County on May 16 after what the sheriff’s office described as a month-long effort to get the ranch owner, Daniel Martin, 83, to correct worsening care and welfare problems. The seizure involved the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado Bureau of Animal Protection, and the Colorado State Veterinary Office. Officials said one mule was euthanized because it was suffering, two bison died during the operation, and two more were euthanized to prevent further suffering. Martin is expected to face multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, and the investigation remains open. (crimewatch.net)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this case highlights the central role of state veterinarians and animal protection teams in large-herd neglect investigations, where welfare assessment, triage, humane euthanasia decisions, documentation, and post-seizure care all have to happen quickly and at scale. It also lands in a state where privately owned bison remain regulated as livestock through the Colorado Department of Agriculture, even as Colorado has separately moved to protect free-ranging wild bison under a new dual-classification framework that took effect January 1, 2026. (crimewatch.net)

What to watch: Watch for formal charges, any court filings on custody or disposition of the animals, and updates on the herd’s veterinary evaluation and long-term placement. (crimewatch.net)