Starving horses seized from Montana ranch

BILLINGS (AP) — Authorities say they have seized 26 starving horse from a Carbon County ranch and the woman using the ranch has been charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty.

The Billings Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/Ar8lVb) that Wendy Rehard was charged Thursday in Carbon County District Court.

Authorities say the ranch had 63 horses and 26 in the worst shape were moved to another ranch after being examined by veterinarians.

Authorities say they began investigating after a person reported giving Rehard hay, pasture, money and diesel fuel to help take care of the horses.

But the same person reported seeing the horses living in a pasture with no feed or grass, and were chewing on fence posts and eating their own manure.

Carbon County Attorney Alex Nixon says additional charges are possible against Rehard.

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