The Freeborn County Sheriff’s office is requesting charges be filed against the owners of two horses and a pony removed last week from a rural Oakland property.

A veterinarian evaluated the animals on Saturday and concluded they were malnourished, according to Freeborn County Sheriff Bob Kindler.

Based on the vet report, his office submitted a request for charges on Tuesday afternoon. As of Wednesday, nothing had been filed. The owners have not been identified.

The two Arabian horses and one Shetland pony were removed a week ago from 23939 885th Ave. with a search warrant by a sheriff’s deputy and representatives of the Freeborn County Humane Society.

A third horse, described as “skin and bones,” died overnight before the search warrant was conducted.

Sheriff’s office reports stated the animals were found under a shelter with a sagging roof that was too small for all of the animals to fit in comfortably.

The water tank was reportedly covered in algae, and there was poor-quality hay, but no corn, oats or barley. The ground was covered in feces.

Humane Society volunteers are caring for the animals, which also appeared to be infested by a parasite.