Felony arrest made in animal cruelty case at Wild Horse Ranch

LARAMIE (WNE) — The Albany County Sheriff ’s Office received a report at about 9 a.m. on Aug. 18 of alleged animal cruelty at Wild Horse Ranch. 

According to the initial report, an individual allegedly used a fourwheeler to intentionally run down a horse, according to a sheriff ’s office Facebook post at about 5 p.m. Tuesday.

After the horse managed to stand again, the suspect reportedly struck it a second time. 

Due to the severity of the horse’s injuries and the extreme suffering it endured, the owner of the Wild Horse Ranch made the decision to humanely put the animal down, the release states.

Deputies responded immediately after the report was filed, and Stuart Schmidt was taken into custody in connection with this incident. 

Schmidt was charged with felony cruelty to animals (Wyoming State Statute 6-3-1005), a crime punishable by imprisonment for not more than two years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

Schmidt was arraigned in Circuit Court on Aug. 20 and released on a $1,000 signature bond with the condition that he shall not have contact with the owner(s) of the horse. 

On Tuesday, Schmidt waived his right to a preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to District Court. 

The Albany County Sheriff ’s Office acknowledged the distress the incident caused within the community and who witnessed the event.

The investigation continues to remain active, and additional information will be released from the sheriff ’s office as it becomes available.

This story was published on August 28, 2025.