The Humane Society of the United States and the Cannon County Sheriff's Office rescued dozens of animals from a Bradyville farm because of alleged animal cruelty.

(Photo's courtesy of the HSUS, WKRN & WSMV)

84 horses were seized from the 100-acre property on Hollow Springs Road, located about 30 miles southeast of Murfreesboro.

The Tennessee Walking horses, Spotted Saddle horses and Quarter horses all showed signs of neglect and poor health.

Some were extremely emaciated, suffering from various medical conditions or could no longer walk.

In addition, authorities said several dead horses were found at the scene.

Eight dogs, 2 goats and 2 chickens, all in poor condition, were also seized.

"We respond to large scale animal suffering," said Scotlund Haisely with the Humane Society. "On a scale of one to 10, 10 being the worst horse cruelty situation we've seen, I put this as an eight. This is not a good scene. This is grim."

Concerned citizens alerted the sheriff's department to the alleged abuse.

The sheriff's office then brought in the Humane Society.  All of the horses are being moved to temporary shelters.

At least six trailers were sent to the property to transport the horses to stables at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Nashville.

As they reach the fairgrounds, the horses are being checked by veterinarians and given appropriate medical care.

(Photo's of Charles E. & Clint Howland courtesy of the Cannon County Sheriff's Department)

Police arrested the two owners of the animals, Charles E. Howland and his son, Clint Howland, the same day the animals were seized.  Both men face charges of animal cruelty.

They have each made their $1,500 bond and have surrendered the horses to authorities.

Rescuers could be treating the animals at the fairgrounds for several weeks after which they will be sent to local rescue groups.

Horse owners who can no longer care for their horses have many humane options available to them:

* Sell the horse to a properly vetted, private owner
* Lease the horse to another horse enthusiast
* Donate the horse to a therapeutic riding center, park police unit or similar program
* Relinquish the horse to a horse rescue or sanctuary
* Consider humane euthanasia.

Update 11/25/09:  Hundreds of people are coming to the aid of dozens of horses rescued from a Cannon County farm earlier this week.

The animals are being nursed back to health at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.

The animals' ribs and other bones are noticeably visible. Investigators say they are signs the horses have been neglected.

The 84 horses, 7 dogs, 15 chickens and 2 goats were rescued from the Cannon County farm.

The emergency shelters at the fairgrounds have been set up with plenty of food, water and veterinarians monitoring their condition.

Volunteers say it's the only place in the state equipped to handle such a large number of horses.

When the animals arrived, some of them were in such poor condition, workers feared they wouldn't make it through the night, but all of them survived.

The story has touched many Tennesseans, more than 300 people called the fairgrounds offering to help.

Ron Smith from Murfreesboro was one of them.  He donated more than 100 bales of hay.

Smith, who was angered when he learned about the abuse, said, "Horses are just like any animal. They're defenseless and for someone to do this is just wrong."

Caring for the horses won't be cheap. They'll stay at the fairgrounds for three weeks, at a cost of $100,000 or more.

The horses' owners are facing animal cruelty charges, and as the vet reports come in, more charges could be filed against the men.

Update 11/27/09:  The horses seized are all continuing to improve.

Charges await for the horses owners, who are charged with animal cruelty. Because horses are considered livestock, neither man will face jail time even if there are 84 counts against him.

If a person is judged to be cruel beyond reason to dogs in Tennessee, he or she can do a year in jail and be fined $5,000. If the same is done to horses, it's a misdemeanor citation and a possible fine of $2,500.

"Starvation is an excruciating death for an animal,".  "There's no reason that it shouldn't be a felony."

House Rep. Janis Sontany has attempted to make horse cruelty a felony, but her bill has never gone to a full vote.

The Farm Bureau said there is a big difference, that horses have always been considered livestock and that the animal cruelty misdemeanor law is a good law that is working.

Horses as livestock are a business expense, and there are huge tax breaks that aren't available for a companion animal. Farmers don't want to lose that.

Update 12/1/09:  Rep. Janis Sontany announced that she plans to draft a bill designed to include starvation of any animal in the felony penalty statutes. Currently only dogs and cats are included in the felony statute for starvation.

All the other animals have since been transferred to rescue groups.

Tractor Supply Company, Whole Foods, Franklin Equine Hospital, Tennessee Equine Hospital, Equine Veterinary Service, Volunteer Equine Advocates, United Animal Nations, A Place to Bark, Purina, Farmer's Co-Op, PF Chang's, Garden Café, The Yellow Porch, Blackstone and Music City Horseshoer's Association have all contributed to the care of the horses.

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