Animal humane officials are investigating the discovery of two abandoned horses who appear to be malnourished.
City animal officials first received a call about the stray horses Monday near Seventh and Diamond streets, but the animals were gone when officers arrived. Another call was placed yesterday and city and Pennsylvania SPCA officers recovered the horses from an empty lot in the residential neighborhood.
They were taken to SPCA headquarters in Hunting Park for an evaluation to determine if there are any signs of animal cruelty, the SPCA said. At this time, authorities do not have any information about the owners or where the horses came from. Officers said they appear slightly underweight, but otherwise healthy. If neglect is determined, cruelty charges will be filed once the owner is found.
Under city law, horses can be kept in the city, but must be fed, sheltered and maintained. The horses will be held at a ranch in Quakertown and put up for adoption if the owners cannot be found.
