Couple charged with animal cruelty for underfed horses

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. -- (WBBH) -- The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a Sarasota couple with animal cruelty after horses on their property were found to be malnourished.

Benjamin and Wendy Watson were charged when they failed to care for three of four horses on their property, even after making an earlier agreement with deputies to treat the horses back to good health.

Officials first learned of the horses' poor conditions in March and found three of them underweight. The Watsons cooperated with with having a veterinarian look over the animals and agreed to a six-week feeding schedule. During follow-up visits, deputies found the horses to be without food or water and still underweight.

The horses were eventually confiscated by authorities and signed over by the Watsons. They were cared for by the Animal Services Section and now are at new homes for rehabilitation.

Benjamin Watson was arrested last Thursday and released the same day was released on a $2,000 bond. Wendy Watson turned herself in on Monday and was also released on a $2,000 bond.