A Douglas County man faces animal cruelty charges after eight horses were found severely malnourished.
Steven Alston, 29, was arrested Tuesday evening and booked into the Douglas County jail, where he was being held Wednesday night on $4,000 bond.
A concerned citizen called the sheriff's office after noticing the animals and a deputy was dispatched to the home, where the animals were found, Chief Deputy Stan Copeland told AM 750 and 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB.
"They were severely malnourished and I think they had other medical issues," Copeland said. "It could've been a matter of days or weeks and they wouldn't be with us."
Alston told investigators he couldn't afford to feed the horses and had considered setting them loose, Copeland said. But Alston may not have had enough land for the animals.
"There are people out there who would be glad to take animals," Copeland said. "Just don't turn them loose."
Alston faces four counts of animal cruelty and could face additional charges following a veterinarian's evaluation of the animals, police said. The horses are being treated at various animal shelters, according to Wes Tallon, the county spokesman.
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