A southeastern Nebraska farmer has been charged with 10 felony counts of animal cruelty, accused of starving hundreds of pigs on his property.

Otoe County Attorney David Partsch says 60-year-old John Maahs of Unadilla appeared in court Monday morning. Authorities say hundreds of dead hogs in various stages of decomposition were found on Maahs' farm late last week.

Mark Langan of the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha says necropsies performed on some of the pigs show the animals likely
starved to death.

Maahs remains in jail on $50,000 bail.

Partsch says Maahs did not appear with an attorney Monday, and that a judge determined Maahs is not indigent and would have to hire his own attorney.