PASQUOTANK COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — Twenty-three horses were evaluated in Elizabeth City after the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office received a call concerning their welfare on Thursday.

The horses were ranked on a scale of 1-9, with 1 being poor and 9 being “extremely fat”. The horses ranked an average of 1.9 by the U.S. Equine Rescue League, Inc.

Two of the horses were rehomed, four of the horses will be returned to the owners and the other 17 horses are going to be surrendered or seized to the care of the U.S. Equine Rescue League, Inc., deputies said.

No charged have been filed at this time because the sheriff’s office said their first priority is the welfare of the horses.

Anyone wanting to assist with offsetting costs for the care and rehabilitation for these horses, donations will be accepted at the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office.