A Virginia veterinarian faces multiple animal cruelty charges for allegedly neglecting 18 horses that were removed from her Franklin County property last month.

Captain Aleck Beeman of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department said law enforcement authorities seized the animals on Aug. 16 after neighbors complained about their condition.

"Veterinarians body scored the animals and most came in at about a 2 (very thin to emaciated) on the (Henneke) scale," said Beeman. The horses are currently receiving rehabilitative care at the Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network, Beeman said.

On Sept. 3, Gwendolyn Jeanne Pfouts, DVM, was charged with 18 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in connection with the seizure. She will be arraigned on the charges on Oct. 25 in Frederick County General District Court