COLUMBIANA COUNTY, Ohio — The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbiana County Humane Society are investigating after multiple dead horses were found in a barn on State Route 45 in Salem Township.

According to an incident report obtained by 3News, deputies were called to the Pure Gold Horse Stables and Equestrian Center at around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, for a report of possible animal abuse.

The caller, who is identified as someone who is about to buy the property, reported finding four horse skeletons in a barn.

Investigators said the horses appeared to have been locked inside and starved to death.

Warning: Some details may be disturbing to readers.

“Upon further examining the horses, they appeared to be mostly decomposed with only patches of skin left,” the repor

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