N.D. mule auction takes in $21,000 for investigation

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) – Morton County officials say they made $21,000 from selling mules that were seized in a North Dakota animal abuse case.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that the county sold 22 mules last weekend in an auction at Triple H Miniature Horse Rescue near Mandan. Morton County Sheriff Dave Shipman says the proceeds will go toward costs of the investigation and rescue.

Officials in Morton and Burleigh counties seized more than 150 horses and mules from properties belonging to William Kiefer in January after finding 96 dead animals on property northwest of New Salem and three more dead on pasture east of Bismarck.

Kiefer has been charged with several counts of animal mistreatment in both counties. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in both counties on March 20.