Police: 4 horses may have been locked in barn for a year

DEERING, N.H. – Police say four malnourished horses may have been locked inside a New Hampshire barn for more than a year.

Police in Deering tried for several days to get the barn's owner to let them see the horses before officers obtained a warrant that was executed Thursday.

The horses are now in the hands of volunteers after the owners formally surrendered them. Police say charges are expected.

Officer Stephen Bell told WMUR-TV it was "one of the more horrific cases" that the state veterinarian's office has seen.

Rebecca Howland, who volunteers with Live and Let Live Farm in Chichester, called it heart-breaking. All four horses are now recovering.