An Arabian horse breeder is facing more than 30 counts of animal cruelty in connection with the alleged maltreatment of animals on her West Virginia farm.

Roane County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Jeff Smith said that on Jan. 18 while responding to a tip, he discovered 14 dead horses on a farm near Reedy, W.Va. The following day, acting on a warrant, Smith and West Virginia Department of Agriculture personnel discovered two more dead animals. Another 20 live horses were also discovered during the search, he said. The surviving horses were allegedly malnourished due to inadequate access to food, and all the horses were infested with parasites and in need of veterinary care, Smith said.

"They were in pretty bad shape," Smith said.

The Roane County Sheriff’s Department subsequently seized the surviving horses, he said, and all the animals are now under the care of Sheriff’s Department personnel