Five severely emaciated horses and a donkey are in the custody of Tampa officials after they were taken from their owner’s care in Largo, Fla., yesterday.

A tipster directed authorities to dirty pens with no food or water and little shade on Thursday. Three of the mustangs were in imminent danger and so starved their ribs could be seen through their coats.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is investigating owner George Hale and plans to pursue animal cruelty charges against him