Authorities charged a Limestone County man with animal cruelty after four starving horses were found on about an acre of property in the Piney Chapel community. Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely said two mares and one colt were malnourished but able to stand Monday, while the other colt, its bones protruding through its hide, fell and had to be put in a horse trailer and moved to a barn.

Blakely said the owner, Jeffery Piere Kirby, 40, of Athens hadn't provided the horses with hay, sweet feed or salt blocks in at least three months.

"All that was left for them in that pasture was dirt and bark off the trees," he told The Decatur Daily.

Authorities charged Kirby with one count of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor. Kirby told the newspaper he has changed jobs and has too many horses to care for them as he should.

Blakely said his office would allow Kirby to post his $500 bond and would work with him on getting food for the horses.

"He'll have to keep us posted on their progress, and we'll check in on them, and he'll have to let us know what he does with them," he said.

Neighbors Kenny and Shenella Craig noticed the horses' condition Sunday, brought them hay and called the sheriff's department. Kenny Craig returned Monday with grain for the horses and offered to put the sickest colt in his barn at no charge to Kirby.