Lynn Coley, who runs Painted Acres Farm in both Halifax and Nash Counties, was arrested at her Nash County home on 10 charges of animal cruelty.
Animal cruelty investigators with the Humane Society and the U.S. Equine Rescue League quickly got involved in the case after a veterinarian reported animals' condition.
"She has a story she tells, and people believe it for a little while," said animal cruelty investigator Jennifer Malpass. "Then of course they realize there's something else going on and that's what many people realized."
Two horses have died on Coley's farm. One walked through a plate glass, the other died from malnutrition.
Once the other horses are nursed back to health, they will go to foster farms until Coley's case is heard in court.
Coley's farm was approved for $20,000 in grants, but the money had not yet arrived. It is not clear if she will get to keep the money.
Coley's next court date is May 17.
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