A situation involving neglected animals at a Hermitage man's property has been solved, says Cyndi Sankey, Humane Society of Mercer County police officer.

The Humane Society received a call June 20 concerning two horses at 2729 Lynnwood Drive, Hermitage. During an investigation on the property the Humane Society and Sacred Trust Horse Rescue, Hadley, Pa., found 24 horses, which included five pregnant mares and five foals, Ms. Sankey said.

The Herald reported Friday there were 17 horses (two pregnant), four colts, two dogs and two cats. Members of the Humane Society and Sacred Trust determined there were more horses after they finished hauling water to the animals.

Sacred Trust Founder Robin Bratek said the horses needed basic care such as having their hooves trimmed. Ms. Bratek said though the ribs were showing on several of the horses, she wouldn't go so far as to say the horses were starving.

Ms. Sankey said when the Humane Society arrived, five of the horses did not have any food, water or pasture. Nineteen other horses, including five foals, were in a pasture with water and were able to graze. However, they did not have any shelter in the event of a storm or bad weather, she said.

Ms. Sankey said she left the owner, Joe Quarterson, who is a truck driver, a notice Thursday requesting that he contact the Humane Society within 24 hours. A formal complaint was never filed.

"Things just got out of control for him," she said. "It's too much work for one person... and he didn't ask anyone for help. He's been very cooperative and concerned about where the horses are going."

Ms. Sankey said Quarterson has been willing to work with the Humane Society as well as Sacred Trust. As a Humane Society police officer, Ms. Sankey said it is her policy to explain the problems to the animal owner and assist the owner in getting the situation corrected.

"When there is cooperation between us, things work out. If the animal owner is defiant -- and in this case he is not defiant -- then I must take further action to protect the animals from abuse, cruelty or neglect," Ms. Sankey said.

Quarterson's attorney, John Lemieux of Jefferson, Ohio, left a voice message requesting The Herald not contact his client and said neither he nor Quarterson have much to say on the matter.

Sacred Trust placed several of the horses with new owners, Ms. Sankey said. Ms. Bratek said all of the horses have been adopted, adding that Quarterson wasn't required to give any of them away.

Quarterson also had two dogs and two cats on his property. Ms. Sankey said both dogs were checked by a vet. One of the dogs, which she previously said had a tumor on its belly "the size of a cantaloupe," was old and had to be put down. The other dog was relocated on the property. Ms. Sankey said the two cats were "drop-offs" and Quarterson had left a bowl of cat food out for them.

Ms. Sankey said taking the horses to auction is always an option, but it isn't a pleasant one. She said the Humane Society avoids sending horses to auction because they don't want them going to slaughter. The bottom line is always to get the animals in a safe, healthy environment, she said.