A woman has pleaded guilty to maltreating a herd of horses on her Hamptonburgh, New York, property.

Gene Hecht, investigator for the Hudson Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New Windsor, New York, said investigators began investigating the conditions of 36 horses at a farm operated by Connie Dirago in March 2014. That investigation revealed that one horse had died in its stall, Hechr said, and two other horses were discovered dead on the property. The remaining 33 horses were found residing without access to food or water, he said.

“Evidently she was boarding (the horses) and not feeding them,” Hecht said.

Hecht said some of the live horses were placed with their original owners while the remaining animals were placed with rescue organizations