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https://twitter.com/AAdelsonABC36Neighbors say more than a dozen horses are not being fed, or given shelter. The property owner denies those claims.
"They're in very skinny condition. They're underfed, just deplorable. Hopefully the right people hear this, and we'll get some help," said Charles Eaton, a neighbor.
Eaton gave us pictures showing the skinny horses. The property owner admits two horses died, but claims no wrong doing.
"Poison that was in the ground. They were eating wild berries. They were 20 years old. They died of natural causes," said Richard Bant, the property owner.
The county gave Bant bales of hay to feed the horses at the beginning of the week. Bant owns two horses, and he says his roommates are paying to keep 16 on his property. Bant says the horses are well cared for.
"We bought our horses from another guy, from the Amish, and that's why our horse is skinny, because he's 15 years old," said Bant.
Eaton worried for his safety speaking with us. The National Sex Offender Registry lists Bant as a lifetime registered sex offender. Lincoln County Deputies arrested him a little over a year ago, and charged him with assault.
"My son Chris was hit on the left side of his face, and I went to get between it, because I'm the dad, and he broke my jaw," said Eaton.
Just last week Bant was arrested for making terroristic threats against another neighbor. The neighbors say they just want the horses cared for, and Bant says he wants to be left alone.
