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Colorado ranch owner charged in bison deaths

The Associated Press
Aspen, CO Colorado

FAIRPLAY, Colo. ” A Texas businessman and ranch owner is being prosecuted in the deaths of 32 bison last winter in Park County.

Forty-four-year-old Jeffrey Scott Hawn of Austin has been charged with 32 counts of animal cruelty, one count of theft of more than $20,000 and a one count of criminal mischief. Prosecutors allege that he “tortured, needlessly mutilated or needlessly killed” the bison, who belonged to another rancher.

The bison were found in late March. A few days before, Hawn had sued the bison’s owner, claiming they were stampeding onto his property.