The rural Webster County man who owned 29 German Shepherd dogs that were seized by authorities last month now faces criminal charges.

David K. Collan, 72, of 1801 110th St., has been charged with animal neglect with serious injury or death and four counts of animal neglect, no injury/serious injury or death, according to court records.

Collan made his initial appearance in Webster County Magistrate Court Thursday morning.

He waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the charge of animal neglect with serious injury or death, according to court records. That means the case against him will proceed to arraignment and trial.

Court action on the other four counts, which are considered lesser offenses, was postponed for 180 days.

Magistrate Stephen Kersten issued an order barring Collan from possessing any dogs.

On Aug. 7, Webster County sheriff’s deputies and Webster County Animal Protection went to Collan’s property and seized the 29 dogs which were described as being in poor health and living in filthy conditions.

On Aug. 30, District Court Judge Derek Johnson gave Webster County Animal Protection ownership of the dogs.That organization is now working to rehabilitate the dogs and get them adopted.