Malnourished and dead horses found on Marengo farm

The Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society has taken in five malnourished horses after authorities discovered dead and neglected animals on a Marengo farm, according to the rescue.

McHenry County Animal Control officers were verifying vaccination records at a Marengo dog breeding operation on Thursday when they noticed emaciated animals on the property. Officers contacted the Barrington Hills rescue and the McHenry County Sheriff's Department to arrange for the removal of the animals the next day, according to the rescue.

When the rescue arrived at the farm on Friday, investigators discovered two dead miniature horses that appeared to have been starved. Five additional horses were found and they were severely malnourished, the rescue said.

Sheriff's deputies arrested two people in connection with the investigation.

Jose Hidalgo, 45, of Elgin, was charged Friday with two counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of violating animal owner duties. Jonathan E. Herrera, 21, of Harvard, was charged with cruelty to animals and violating animal owner duties, the Sheriff's Office said on Sunday.

The five horses are expected to recover, the rescue said. Members of the group will continue to monitor the other horses on the Marengo property, which are owned by different renters and were not neglected, according to the rescue.