A viewer contacted 23 ABC Tuesday, saying he was concerned about horses he had seen on a property in Taft. He said he called animal control and when a 23 ABC crew showed up at the property, officers were already there.
Kim Rodriguez, Kern County Animal Control spokeswoman, said officers have had previous contact with the owner who said he runs a horse rescue operation.
Rodriguez said the man showed current paperwork for the horses Tuesday and the horses looked like they were receiving proper care.
Then things changed when officers went to another part of the property.
"We found some other horses and they seemed to be in distress," said Rodriguez. "So we looked for the owner and come to find out the same gentleman that we were out here visiting on the horses that had the paperwork; we found out he was the owner of these horses as well."
Officers took three horses they estimate are about 250 to 300 pounds underweight.
The unidentified man was arrested on three felony counts of animal cruelty.
(KERO - April 25, 2012)
