UPDATE:

Stanley M. Frye bonded out of the Lincoln County Detention Center around 2 PM today in regards to his Cruelty to Livestock charge after posting bond, 10% of $5,000.00.  Lincoln County Court has issued authorization to release the remaining hogs and payment of approximately $1,518.00 to the City of North Platte for expenses incurred in the management and caring of the livestock.  The swine will be loaded and continue to their destination, Jim’s Farms Meat in Winton, CA later this evening after temperatures have cooled. 

 

(NORTH PLATTE) (N.P.P.D.)-At around 12:43 PM on 07/31/12 Officers and Animal Control Officers responded to the area of South Bend Rd. near West North River Rd. on the report of a semi truck and attached livestock trailer broken down at that location.  Officers learned that the trailer had been parked at that location since around 9 AM due to mechanical problems.  The trailer also contained around 225 head of swine in various states of distress.  The semi driver and suspect, Stanley M. Frye told officers that had picked up the load of pigs around 1130 PM on 07/30/12 from their broker in Iowa and were in route to California to unload.  Frye told police that the semi suffered mechanical problems, which forced him and another passenger to stop at the above location and attempt to repair the truck.  They were waiting on parts for the semi when officers first made contact.  The parts were finally delivered to them at around 230 PM.  Due to the lack of air, breeze and water, members from the North Platte Fire Department were dispatched to the scene in an attempt to cool the animals with water.  Pigs are known to have inadequate sweat glands.  At around 2 PM it was approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit with very little wind.

Following a joint investigation between NPPD, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Dept. and the Nebraska State Patrol it was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Frye for Abandonment or Cruel Neglect to Livestock 54-903, (I Mis).  Frye was cited for Driving Under Suspension and at least one other carrier violation.

Eventually the semi was repaired and the swine transported to the Lincoln County Fair Grounds, where they are currently being cared for and kept.  Dr. Rick Keeten, of the North Platte Vet Clinic and members of the Lincoln County Fair Board also aided in assessing and caring for the live stock.  At the time of this press release only one animal has perished.   Efforts are being made to determine their future destination.