Animal cruelty: Horses had no food, water; one had open wounds in Madison Twp.

These horses were found to be abandoned in a Madison Twp. barn after Butler County Sheriff’s Dog Wardens were tipped to investigate. CONTRIBUTED/BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

These horses were found to be abandoned in a Madison Twp. barn after Butler County Sheriff’s Dog Wardens were tipped to investigate. CONTRIBUTED/BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Three horses were found Wednesday inside a Howell Road barn in Madison Twp. with no air circulation and no food or water, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Dog Warden Division.

Dog wardens responded to a tip on Wednesday that five horses had been abandoned. They said two of the horses dound in the barn were in grave condition.

The owner of the horses, Elizabeth J. Kidd, of Madison Twp., arrived on scene and said she had the horses under veterinarian care. However, in their investigation, the dog wardens found that the veterinarian had not been to the property in over a year.

A veterinarian was called to the scene to examine the horses and Animal Friends Humane Society representatives responded to the property as well to make arrangements for a rescue of the animals.

Kidd is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. July 24 in Middletown Municipal Court on three counts of cruelty to a non-companion animal, a second-degree misdemeanor.

“I could not imagine being locked up in a barn with no water in this heat,” said Sheriff Richard Jones. “We encourage the community to continue speaking up when they see this abuse and neglect so we can rescue and pursue justice for these helpless animals.”

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