ARIZONA -- A man is in custody on suspicion of animal cruelty after authorities say they found seven malnourished horses on his Buckeye property.
Maricopa County Sheriff's officials say 72-year-old Karie Hooks was arrested Monday and is facing a number of charges including two felonies.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio says his Animal Crimes Unit seized the horses Friday while Hooks was away.
In July, sheriff's detectives seized one malnourished horse from the property and told the owner what needed to happen to bring the other horses to good health.
When authorities recently went back to check on the health of the remaining horses, they say seven appeared to be up to 300 pounds underweight.
They were taken to an equine vet clinic for rehabilitation. Hooks doesn't have a lawyer yet for his case.
(abc15 - Sept 24, 2012)