The horses seized from the Willow Spring family accused of neglecting them have spent the last month at various farms in the area undergoing rehabilitation.

At one such facility in Wake County, NBC17 found the horses are recovering nicely. These horses now have plenty to eat now unlike a few weeks ago when they were seized.

"They were malnourished. There wasn't sufficient hay or grain on the property for them," said Jennifer Hack, one of several people caring for seized horses.

The horses were taken from a rented field in Willow Spring. Officials with the Animal Legal Defense Fund said the horses were being kept in what they described as deplorable conditions.

After the situation was discovered, one horse died of starvation before it could be seized by officials; others were close to it.

"One horse was suffering from the beginning stages of colic. She was basically laying on the ground waiting to die," explained Hack.

The owners of the horses are Mike and Judy Keating and their daughter Gayle. Officials say this wasn't their first experience with the family.

"There have been several complaints to animal control throughout the years on not just horses but their dogs as well," said Hack. "And we actually received a horse from this same family as long as 5 years ago."

After five weeks of care, the horses look much better; so much better it's even stunned their caretaker.

"I've rehabbed probably close to 100 horses and I'm amazed. I've never seen a horse turn around as quickly as she has," said Hack, pointing to the horse that just a few weeks ago was close to death.

NBC17 went to the Keating's Willow Spring home Monday afternoon so that we could give them a chance to tell their side of the story, but we found no one home and were unable to contact them.

A complaint has been filed in Wake County District Court Monday against the Keating family for allegedly neglecting eight horses.

The investigator, along with the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the United States Equine Rescue League has filed the complaint seeking permanent custody of the animals as well as the costs of caring for the animals.

On Dec. 17, 2008, Wake County's animal cruelty investigator and U.S. Equine Rescue League seized six horses from a field that was being rented by Michael, Judy and Gayle Keating.

The lawsuit is being filed under the state's Civil Remedy for Protection of Animals statute (Chapter 19A), a law unique to North Carolina that allows a private citizen or organization to file suit to stop animal cruelty.

Related Links

1. WARNING: Photos Of Horses May Be Disturbing For Some.
2. Read The Full Lawsuit Filed