A Bogalusa man was arrested Wednesday after allegations that he was mistreating horses.

Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office said that local law enforcement received numerous complaints from concerned citizens about the alleged animal abuse. Haley said that WPSO investigators and the Bogalusa Police Department animal control officer responded to Riverside Drive in Bogalusa to view horses that were reported to be without proper care or food.

Upon viewing the condition of the horses, officers seized the animals and had them transported to another location where they could receive proper veterinary care.

The owner of the horses, Landrus Ollie Forbes, 42, a resident of Donnell Street in Bogalusa, was arrested Wednesday and transported to the Washington Parish Jail where he is being held with bond set at $20,600, Haley said.

Forbes is charged with four counts of cruelty to animals, and three counts of misdemeanor failure to appear.

Sheriff Randy Seal said that all animal owners have a responsibility for the welfare of their animals.

“Each animal owner has a legal obligation to provide proper care for those animals,” he said. “Failure to do so is a violation of the law. We appreciate the concern of several citizens who alerted us to this problem and are committed to intervene in incidences of animal abuse.”