More than 60 animals living in squalid conditions have been rescued from a farm in Co Antrim.
PSNI officers were called in last week after the horses and ponies were discovered by a vet and they found them living among the carcasses of nine dead animals.
Officers made arrangements to have the animals examined by specialist vets and a number were found to be in such poor condition that they had to be put down.
Once examined, the animals were then removed from the site and placed with a number of local animal sanctuaries.
Investigating officer Sgt Alison Liddle said: "When police arrived at Lisnevenagh Road we were met with a truly heartbreaking scene.
"These animals were effectively starving to death in the most dire of conditions. There was no clean bedding, no water and nowhere for them to move around.
"Live animals were being forced to live next to the rotting carcasses of other dead animals. No animal should be made to endure such horrendous cruelty."
