Description
Multiple people have been arrested after deputies say they found malnourished horses and several environmental hazards at a property in Lake Wales.
An investigation began after the Polk County Sheriff's Office received a tip about two horses in a field that "appeared to be malnourished." Authorities say when they went to the property on Poe Road, they found numerous environmental hazards and several adults and children living in various structures on the property.
The homeowner, Joemanuel Nunez-Suarez, 40, claimed ownership of most of the livestock on the property, including eight horses, 11 goats and two sheep, according to the sheriff's office.
Three of the horses were neglected and in poor condition. Deputies say one was extremely skinny, with its rib and hip bones visible.
Another was laying on the ground in its own feces, unable to lift its head and barely breathing. Officials say that horse died due to "severe neglect."
Nunez-Suarez reportedly told detectives that he was taking care of the animals for a friend but it was too expensive to feed them, and he also told the friend to come get the animals three months ago.
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/crime/malnourished-horses-animal-neglect-lake-wales-polk-county/67-09dd2671-bf5d-4f29-964d-36f6a4978d2d