Humane Officers Rescue Malnourished Horses From Somerset County Farm

Malnourished horses living on a Somerset County farm were rescued by Humane Society officers on Thursday afternoon.

All six horses were malnourished and some were starving and near death. It's an investigation that humane officers said they've been conducting for several months.

"The horses are continually getting worse," said Somerset County Humane Society Officer Melissa Leonard. "They have not been receiving food, water or veterinary care."

Some of the horses were so sick they couldn't even stand. The Humane Society said one of them was only skin and bones when they found it laying in mud.

The horses have been taken to a local veterinarian to receive proper care but they're going to need permanent homes.

"We don't have the funding and we do have six horses that have been surrendered," said Leonard. "Right now we don't have a place to house these horses."

Since the horses were surrendered by their owner, police said they have not filed any charges. The Humane Society said they're just happy they were able to step in before it was too late.

"We're not sure what our next step is, we basically got what we wanted," said Leonard. "Our main effort was to [get] them in a place where they can be safe... That's really what we wanted to do."

If you or someone you know can care for one or more of the horses, the Somerset County Humane Society asks that you give them a call at 814-443-2121.