Four horses were removed from a Poplar property this week after a fifth horse died, according to a Douglas County Sheriff's Department report.
The case remains under investigation, according to Deputy Richard Schnell.
The animals were removed by the Minnesota Hooved Animal Humane Society at the request of the property owner, who said the animals had been there since last spring. He told deputies there was no boarding contract; he had been letting them stay there to help out the owner, who was responsible for feeding and watering the animals.
When one of the horses began to look ill earlier in the week, the property owner said he had been unable to contact the owner of the horses. According to the report, the animal "went down" during the cold weather on Jan. 17.
A veterinarian sent by the Humane Society arrived in Poplar that day to examine the horse, which died during the exam.
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The other four horses appeared adequately nourished and active, according to the report.
