Horse investigation leads to cruelty charges

ELLETTSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Monroe County authorities are holding a Spencer woman on multiple charges after a state veterinarian found five neglected horses and the remains of two others on property near Ellettsville.

Chief Sheriff's Deputy Michael Pershing told the Herald-Times (http://bit.ly/ZRUcY7) that 54-year-old Ruth Chasse was arrested Friday night on two felony counts of improperly disposing of a dead animal and five misdemeanor animal cruelty counts.

Chasse was being held Sunday at the Monroe County Jail. Records there didn't indicate whether she had an attorney.

Pershing says it's not clear how the two horses died. He says the investigation began in August.

The Indiana Board of Animal Health says one of its staff veterinarians went Wednesday to the property about 45 miles southwest of Indianapolis, where 34 horses were kept.

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Information from: The Herald Times, http://www.heraldtimesonline.com