Authorities identify men charged after horses found dead

MARENGO, Ill. (AP) - Authorities have identified two men charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after two horses were found dead and five others severely malnourished in northern Illinois.

The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports Tuesday that 45-year-old Jose Hidalgo of Elgin and 21-year-old Johnathan Herrera of Harvard also are charged with misdemeanor violating animal owner duties. They were arrested Friday in McHenry County.

Animal control officers were verifying vaccine records at dog a breeding operation in Marengo when they discovered the horses.

The Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society were contacted and found two dead miniature horses that appeared to have starved. Five malnourished horses were also found Friday. They were taken to a facility for treatment and were expected to recover.

It was not immediately clear Tuesday if Hidalgo and Herrera had attorneys.

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Information from: Daily Herald, http://www.dailyherald.com