NESCOPECK — A woman from Nescopeck has been charged with animal cruelty after horses were found to be malnourished at her facility in Columbia County.
State Police say Maria Hayes, 37, operates a boarding stable in Mifflin Township, Columbia County and houses a number of animals including horses owned by her and by others who pay to have them boarded at her facility.
Investigators say back in February a veterinarian was called to treat one of those horses which had to be euthanized.
A necropsy was performed on the animal by the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System at the New Bolton Center in Kennett Square. Their findings determined the horse died from emaciation.
State troopers say upon further investigation they found four additional horses on the property exhibiting signs of malnutrition.
Hayes is charged with five counts of cruelty to animals for failing to provide necessary and sufficient food to the horses.