OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The Nebraska Humane Society confiscated dozens of animals, including a zebra, from a West Omaha home on Thursday.
Steve Glandt with the Nebraska Humane Society said charges are pending after about 60 animals were confiscated from “deplorable conditions” by authorities.
In an update Thursday afternoon, he said NHS received an anonymous tip about a residence near 195th and Pacific streets, northwest of Shadow Ridge Country Club, and obtained a warrant late last week to search the property.
Serving the search warrant at the property at about 9 a.m. Thursday, NHS personnel found several different types of animals, ranging from dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and geese to pigs, ponies, goats, and donkeys — even an emu, alpacas, and a zebra.
“Wild animals like zebras are biologically unpredictable and can be dangerous. They differ greatly from domesticated animals such as horses, dogs, cats, etc.,” Glandt said. “Keeping a zebra as a pet poses severe safety risks and requires specialized care, and demands a larger type of enclosure to prevent escape, and the also require, you know, special diets.”
He said it took time to execute the warrant because NHS needed to make sure the right staff and equipment were in place before getting to the property — and that such a timeline isn’t out of the ordinary.
“And as prepared as we thought we were, we were still overwhelmed when we got there. You know, we thought we had adequate transportation, based on what we knew. As it turns out, we’ve had to make a couple trips to shuttle animals here from the scene,” he said.
The Nebraska Humane Society confiscated a zebra and several other animals while investigating a tip in Omaha on Thursday, July 9, 2026.(Courtesy photo)
He said NHS has been in contact with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium about care for the zebra, and said they’re working to find better accommodations for that animal. NHS also had some help from a zebra expert from Texas who happened to be visiting family in Lincoln and came over to Omaha when they heard about the situation.
“You’re not allowed to have a zebra without a captive wildlife permit. Nebraska state statute strictly regulates the import, transportation, possession of wild animals to protect both the public and our local ecosystems,” Glandt said.
City of Omaha ordinances also restrict exotic animals, said Glandt, who said he expects misdemeanor charges will be filed against those responsible.
Glandt said the animals were briefly examined at the scene, and that most are doing well. Some that were in more serious condition will get immediate and advanced medical care, he said. The NHS release issued earlier Thursday said many of the animals were emaciated and that some of the livestock had overgrown hooves.
“These animals don’t deserve to be kept in those kinds of conditions,” Glandt said.
The animals were examined at the scene by an NHS veterinarian, he said, then were taken from the scene to Humane Society properties for care as court proceedings move forward. Each animal will also be given a forensic examination to determine what treatment and care they might need.
—
Watch breaking news unfold on our livestream. Download the First Alert 6 streaming app to your TV or find us in your favorite streaming platform.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.