A Colorado man will serve one year in a work release program for maltreating 17 horses on his Jefferson County ranch.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies seized the animals from their owner, John McCulley, in May 2009 after a tipster reported seeing a downed horse on the property. County animal control officers and a veterinarian deemed the animals emaciated, in need of dental and farrier care, and suffering from rashes and infections.

The seized horses were among 28 animals removed from McCulley's ranch in June 2007. McCulley regained custody of the horses in 2008 after a judge ruled the warrant for their seizure was flawed.

Following the 2009 seizure, McCulley was charged with one count of felony aggravated animal cruelty and multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty counts. He later pleaded guilty to the felony charge