11 'emaciated' horses removed from Missouri property

The Humane Society of Missouri's Animal Cruelty Task Force is removing 11 horses from a property in southern Missouri, calling the animals "emaciated" and dangerously close to death.

The animals were being taken Friday from property near Lebanon in Laclede County. Humane Society officials say the horses had no access to water and the limited amount of hay for feeding was of very poor quality.

The name of the owner has not been released but Humane Society officials are asking for charges to be filed. The owner agreed to surrender the horses to the Humane Society's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch for care.

The animals, if healthy enough, will be put up for adoption after rehabilitation that could take months.

This story was originally published February 28, 2014 at 1:17 PM with the headline "11 'emaciated' horses removed from Missouri property."