A Montana rancher faces multiple animal cruelty charges in connection with the alleged neglect of 450 horses.

Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said the horses are residing on 9,400 acres of deeded land and 30,000 acres of leased Crow tribal land southeast of Billings, Mont., with scant forage and no water source.

"The horses' owner, James H. Leachman, basically abandoned the animals after losing his ranch in a sheriff's sale," Twito said.

On Dec. 30, Jeff Peila, DVM, evaluated the horses at the request of the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department. At that time, the horses' condition was beginning to deteriorate, Peila said