IBERVILLE PARISH - Three horses are dead after parish workers said they starved to death last week across Iberville Parish.

At least three different people are facing animal cruelty charges. In one case a horse was in such bad shape it had to be euthanised. In two other cases, horses were found dead, and one of those was still tied up to a pole.

Parish leaders called the amount of deaths a coincidence. Today, animal control workers went out cracking down on people who they say are neglecting their animals.

With a rope and some firm tugs, TJ Pryer's horses are no longer in his possession. Pryer received a surprise visit from animal control Monday in Maringouin.

"He's just coming here to set an example," Pryer said.

At least two of Pryer's horses were loaded into a trailer and sent off to see a Veterinarian. Investigators said it appeared that Pryer's horses were malnourished.

Mark Migliacio is in charge of the parish's animal control, he says the brown beauty they took today shouldn't have bones visible.

"That's malnutrition," Migliacio said. "When that backbone gets four inches off the body, that's malnutrition."

Pictures taken over the weekend are part of the reason why animal control workers in Iberville Parish are on high alert. Many of them are too graphic to show on tv. But in all three cases, with three different owners, animal control says the horses were starved to death. Migliacio took no chances Monday, questioning the owner about the care these horses are receiving.

"Iberville Parish will not accept this kind of abuse of animals," Migliacio said.  "We're going to pick them up."

Parish workers said once the Vet evaluates the horses, they'll send Pryer a bill. Of the three horses that died, one owner has been charged with animal cruelty. The other two are in the process of being tracked down.