“There's absolutely no excuse for this. There's no pasture. ... These horses need hay, and there was no water,” humane officer Jan Dillon said after the seizure.
Dillon said animal cruelty complaints are pending against the woman who owns the horses. Dillon secured a warrant to seize the animals after visiting the farm Wednesday.
Two state police troopers from the Greensburg barracks assisted the humane society agents.
The horses were transported to the Second Chance Equine Association facility in Armbrust, where they will be examined by a veterinarian and receive medical attention, she said.
Some of the horses' hooves have needed medical care for months, and some of the animals appeared to be malnourished, Dillon said.
“There were some that looked malnourished to me, but we'll leave that up to the veterinarians. But these horses needed medical attention ... hay and water,” Dillon said.
“We have tried to work with the owner since August. ... I've been out here four times. I came out yesterday and there appeared to be no water supply in the barn or hay ... and she lied to me about the condition of one horse that we found deceased,” Dillon said.
The dead horse was found on top of a hill several hundred yards from the barn that sheltered the others, Dillon said.
Dillon said she plans to return to the farm next week to check on two horses that didn't have obvious health problems and were not taken.
Dillon said it will be up to a district judge to determine the custody of the horses once the complaints are filed.
A summary offense of animal cruelty can carry fines ranging from $50 to $750, plus reimbursement to the agencies for the costs of medical treatment.
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