Authorities are trying to determine what happened to three horses found dead on a Cumberland County farm recently.
The horses were found on the farm last month. Cumberland County animal control officials said by the time they got a call about the animals, they had been deceased for too long to determine how they died.
Officials did determine an automatic water system used to hydrate the horses had been shut down, but the horses' owner, William Amos, says he had been bringing them water.
"I've been born and raised been around animals all my life I know how they're suppose to be taken care of," said Amos.
Amos believes his horses were poisoned after he told tenants on his farm they had to leave, and said he was so concerned, he brought the last horse alive to his home. 8News reporter Mark Tenia asked Amos why he waited so long to report the animals' deaths.
After a long pause, Amos said, "Yeah, I guess it should have been reported."
Amos was found guilty of animal cruelty back in 2005. He says the two cases are unrelated.
Animal control continues to investigate the case. Stay with 8News for updates.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
