SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. -- A North Port man is facing two counts of animal cruelty after his horses were found to be malnourished last week.
Deputies were notified on March 1st of a horse seen wandering in the area of Albin Avenue, which was safely returned to its pasture on Malton Street.
Further investigation into its owner, 42-year-old William Dufresne, revealed the two horses on his property were in poor condition, with no grass for grazing and lacking the necessary feed to nourish the horses properly. Both horses displayed signs of malnourishment and were in need of grooming.
Investigators also found that Dufresne had been reported to authorities in December and was aware that he needed to improve the quality of care for both horses.
Dufresne relinquished custody and both horses were transported to a care facility for treatment.
He is charged with two counts of Animal Cruelty: Aggravated and two counts of Confinement of an Animal Without Food.
He was released early Friday morning on $4,000 bond.
