Groups want custody of starving NC horses

RALEIGH -- Two animal rights groups and an animal cruelty investigator are asking for permanent custody of seven horses found starving in a North Carolina pasture.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund, the U.S. Equine Rescue League and investigator Kelli Ferris filed a request for a permanent injunction Monday in Wake County Superior Court.

The documents say eight horses were living in a rented pasture outside Willow Springs and had no access to hay. The horses, some of which were nursing or pregnant, were eating dirt and bark off trees. An eighth horse died of starvation.

The injunction is being sought against the animals' owners, Michael and Judy Keating and their daughter, Gayle. A telephone number for the Keatings could not be found Monday.

The horses have been placed in temporary care.

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