On Feb. 5, 2016, Arizona authorities seized a pair of allegedly malnourished horses that were purchased through an online advertisement by a buyer allegedly unable to care for them.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Christopher Hegstrom said that sheriff’s department personnel responded to a call about the poor condition of two horses in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Upon arrival, detectives found a 15- to 18-year-old mare 350 pounds underweight and an 8-year-old gelding approximately 250 underweight. The two horses were in medical distress due to lack of nutrition, Hegstrom says.

“The two horses were transported for medical evaluation and taken the sheriff’s office MASH II compound near the Tent City Jail,” Hegstrom said. “The (mare) had to be euthanized by the veterinarian after the horse’s condition worsened