HEBRON | Porter County officials likely will not seek criminal neglect charges against the former owner of an emaciated 2-year-old saddlebred horse taken Saturday from a rural field about three miles east of Hebron.

The owners were providing food for the horse and treating it for worms, but the treatment was not aggressive enough to overcome the parasite problem that left the animal at about half of what it should weigh, Porter County Animal Control Officer Eric Moser.

"There's absolutely nothing to this horse," he said.

The horse, named Eli, was moved to a foster facility along with its companion and is undergoing treatment under the care of a veterinarian, Moser said. Animals that suffer this sort of neglect are at risk of complications.

The former owners have relinquished control of the horse and have been instructed to seek care for six other horses in their care that appear to be under weight, he said. Moser is hopeful they will respond.

"They seem like they care a good deal about their horses," he said.

Moser said the state's animal neglect law was amended last year to include a requirement owners seek veterinary care for an injury or illness that "seriously endangers the life or health of the dog or cat."

Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel said the portion of the law in question cannot be applied to other animals, such as horses.

But he said the overall neglect statute does apply to other animals.

Moser said he found the horse at 829 S. County Road 400 West after receiving a call from a concerned neighbor. He said the owners told him they acquired the horse in question in February in poor condition.

It will be several weeks before it is known if the horse will survive and become eligible for adoption. The county animal shelter is accepting donations to offset the cost of providing care for the animal.