A Maryland breeding farm operator is facing multiple animal cruelty charges in connection with the alleged maltreatment of 140 Polish Arabian horses.

Queen Anne’s County Animal Services Department Director David MacGlashan said county animal welfare authorities began monitoring conditions at Canterbury Farms in Centerville in 2010 after receiving complaints about the horses’ condition. County welfare authorities and a veterinarian instructed the farm’s owner to improve the horses’ care, but the animals’ condition did not improve, MacGlashan said.

On April 15 farm owner Marsha Parkinson surrendered seven of the animals, MacGlashan said. At that time a veterinarian euthanized six of the seven animals including five elderly brood mares. All were in poor condition, he said.

On April 29 animal welfare personnel from Queen Anne’s County, the Days End Farm Horse Rescue, and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) removed 110 animals from the farm. Another 23 animals were removed the following day