Animals found malnourished

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office is requesting charges be filed against the owners of two horses and a pony that were removed last week from a rural Oakland property.

An unidentified veterinarian evaluated the animals Saturday and concluded they were malnourished, according to Freeborn County Sheriff Bob Kindler.

He said based on the veterinarian report, his office submitted a request for charges of Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson on Tuesday afternoon. As of Wednesday nothing had yet been filed.

The two Arabian horses and one Shetland pony were removed a week ago from 23939 885th Ave. with a search warrant by a sheriff’s deputy and representatives of the Freeborn County Humane Society. A third horse, described as being “like skin and bones,” died overnight before the search warrant was conducted.

Sheriff’s Office reports stated the animals were found under a shelter with a sagging roof that was small for all of the animals to fit in comfortably.

The water tank was reportedly covered in algae, and there was poor-quality hay but no corn, oats or barley at the property. The ground was covered in feces.

The animals, which also appeared to be infested by a parasite, have since been moved to an undisclosed location where they are being cared for by Humane Society volunteers.

The owners have not been identified.

Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson said his office has not received reports related to the case.