Sumter (WLTX) - More horses have been found in Richland County which the Humane Society were missing from Georgia.
The discovery was made Monday at a farm in Hopkins.
It's the latest development in an ongoing investigation of horse mistreatment which Humane Society investigators say involves the Trexler family.
Seventeen horses were discovered Monday. The Humane Society will not say how many of them are from Georgia, only that a portion of them are from a property in Georgia owned by the Trexlers.
The Trexlers--Hazelene Trexler, Terry Trexler, and James Trexler--face charges of mistreatment of animals. About two dozen of the animals were found at a horse farm in lower Richland County last week. Five more were found at another location. A veternarian examined the animals, and determined they were severely malnourished.
There's also an investigation in Sumter County into the discovery of animal remains found there. The Humane Society says that property was once owned by the Trexlers.
Humane Society officials say the animals discovered Monday are not in as bad shape as some of the animals discovered previously, but they are neglected. The animal group says the owner of the property agreed to house the animals for the Trexlers, apparently back in January.
The owner where these latest horses were found is not facing any charges. In fact, the animals will stay at that location for now, but will be monitored.
The Humane Society says missing horses were also found during the earlier seizures.
Meanwhile, the Humane Society officials say they have temporary custody of horses some of the horses they say were abused.
On Friday in Richland County, authorities along with the veterinarian who is caring for the seized horses, returned to the Trexlers' leased property on Zeigler Road in Eastover. The vet found three possible burial sites there. Twenty-three horses were seized from this location on Monday.
Hazelene and Terry Trexler were charged in Georgia in connection with abused horses there.