The state Department of Agriculture (DOAG) on Monday, June 22, seized nine malnourished, neglected horses, plus numerous cats and dogs, all of which were living in unhealthy conditions at a residential property at the end of Town’s End Road.

Town’s End Road is a long dead-end dirt road that extends from Eden Hill Road, near the Easton town line.

The seizure at 40 Town’s End Road came after an investigation into a complaint about the horses’ health and living conditions, including inadequate food, water, and shelter, according to Steve Jensen, a spokesman for DOAG.

The horses, which range in age from 4 to 27, were removed under a search-and-seizure warrant signed by a Danbury Superior Court judge, Mr Jensen said.

The horses were transported to the DOAG’s Second Chance large-animal rehabilitation facility in Niantic.

Seven of the horses are owned by the property’s resident, Steve Gabriel, 53, and two are owned by Patricia Whitehead, 60, of Darien, Mr Jensen said.

DOAG animal control officers will pursue criminal charges of animal cruelty against the owners, Mr Jensen said.

Also seized on June 22 were two dogs and more than 30 cats, which were living in a poorly ventilated area that was heavily contaminated by urine and feces, he said.

Those animals were transported to area municipal animal shelters, he said.

Some of those cats were transported to the Newtown Animal Shelter at Fairfield Hills. One large dog was transported there and then was sent to a local veterinarian for evaluation.

Newtown police and Newtown animal control staffers assisted the DOAG at Town’s End Road.

Newtown police referred questions on the case to the state Department of Agriculture.