LEWISTON -- Cache County prosecutors have charged a man with failing to provide 25 horses with food, water or shelter.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that one colt died of apparent starvation earlier this month during an investigation.
Darwin Layne Nielson was booked on 25 charges of animal cruelty Thursday and released with orders to obtain no more animals.
The Utah State Veterinarian's Office says the 57-year-old horse owner wasn't providing the minimum standard of care.
Nielson is asking the county to pay for his defense against the misdemeanor charges, saying he doesn't have enough money.
The Lewiston man says he earns $15 an hour when he can find work as a mason.
No phone listing could be found for the horse owner. His lawyer, Shannon Demler, didn't return a message Tuesday from The Associated Press.
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