WAUCONDA — Okanogan County Sheriff’s deputies removed eight horses from a field near Wauconda on Tuesday after determining they were not being fed or watered.

Sheriff Frank Rogers said a Gig Harbor man owns the horses, and told authorities he had asked his son who lives in Tonasket to care for them. Deputies left messages for the son, but were unable to reach him.

Neighbors first complained in December that the horses at 251 Toroda Creek Road were not being cared for, and some neighbors have been bringing them food and water, Rogers said.

When deputies arrived on Tuesday, the animals had no food or water, he said. Some of them had cuts and bruises, and one had an injured leg, he said.

Rogers said the horses were taken to a nearby ranch, and a veterinarian will look them over today or Thursday.

A report will be sent to the prosecutor to determine whether to charge the father or son with animal cruelty, he said.

— K.C. Mehaffey, World staff