2 Women Charged With Horse Cruelty

McHenry County authorities say two Chicago area women are facing misdemeanor animal cruelty charges for allegedly mistreating at least six of the 14 horses they kept on property near Crystal Lake.

Authorities said 37-year-old Jamie Koy of Des Plaines was charged Monday with four counts of cruel treatment to animals, and 21-year-old Shannon Riley of Chicago, faces one count of the same charge.

McHenry County Sheriff's deputies say they arrested the women Monday after finding 14 horses malnourished and poorly cared for. Six of the horses were removed by McHenry County Animal Control and transported to the Hooved Animal Humane Society in Woodstock for treatment.

"The reason those horses were removed is because they were in critical condition," said Debra Quackenbush, spokeswoman for the McHenry County Department of Health, according to the Daily Herald. "We're hoping there will be a good outcome for them."

Both women posted $100 cash to go free while awaiting trial. Information about their next court date and whether they had attorneys was not available.