Man arrested for allegedly starving horses

ANDERSON, Ind. (Herald Bulletin) - An Anderson man was in jail Friday after police found two dead horses on his property, according to our newsgathering partners at the Herald Bulletin.

Robert Clendenin, 61, of 2320 North County Road 150 West, was preliminarily charged with two counts of improper disposal of a dead animal, and one count of cruelty to an animal.

According to Maj. Brian Bell of the Madison County Sheriff's Department, deputies were initially called to the residence to investigate a horse that had gotten loose. While at the property, deputies found the horses stacked on top of each other.

Bell said the horses were bloated and covered in fleas. There was also a noticeable stench which deputies reported was almost unbearable.

Clendenin was transported to the Madison County Jail, where he was being held without bond.

According to Bell deputies were also called out to Clendenin's residence February 27 on reports of abuse. A warrant was filed for his arrest on four counts of abuse and neglect of an animal and one count of improper disposal of a dead animal.

A month later deputies found the horses had no feed in their troughs except for what appeared to be cake icing.

Officers performed further checks on the property April 2, 4, and 6, but were unable to make contact with Clendenin.

Four horses are alleged to have died on his property; the two that were found on Wednesday, as well as one horse that appeared to have been shot, and another found on February 27.

Just as many horses were taken from the property Wednesday, one of which animal control officer Kim Lott described as "skin and bones." A day later the horse was euthanized.

According to Lott, Clendenin told police people were dropping horses off outside his gate, knowing he would take them in. He said he would take in any horse no matter what condition they were in.

Lott said it did not appear Clendenin was running a business with the horses. However, he unsuccessfully applied for a horse trading license.