A California man is facing animal cruelty charges connected to the alleged neglect of 19 horses residing on a ranch in Fresno County.

Fresno County Sheriff’s Dept. spokesman Chris Curtice said that on Dec. 20 Sheriff’s Deputies, along with Central California Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CCSPCA) personnel and a veterinarian, discovered the animals after receiving complaints about their condition. All were in various stages of malnourishment, Curtice said. A 2-year-old gelding was found lying in the middle of a stable unable to rise to his feet. Due to its condition, the veterinarian euthanized the gelding at the scene. Eight of the remaining 18 horses were deemed to be in a severe state of malnutrition, Curtice said.

All 18 horses were removed from the property and placed with the CCSPCA for rehabilitative care.

Curtice said that Sheriff’s Deputies later arrested and charged the horses’ owner Dana Thomas Kahler with felony cruelty to animals