PASQUOTANK COUNTY, N.C. — Two women have been arrested and served warrants after an investigation into the welfare of 23 horses in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, according to a press release from the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office.
The investigation began earlier this year and concluded on Thursday.
The horses were located on a property in the 2900 block of Main St. and were evaluated by the U.S. Equine Rescue League, per the Henneke Body Conditioning Scoring System.
Scoring System rates equine on a range of 1-9, with 1 being Poor and 9 being Extremely Fat. A healthy scoring ranges from 4-6. The twenty-three horses evaluated were rated with an average score of 1.9.
As a result of the evaluation, two horses have been rehomed, four horses were returned to their owners in July and the remaining 17 horses will either be surrendered or seized to the care of the US Equine Rescue League, Inc.
On Friday, Sept. 20, Lori Lynn Murphy and Phylicia Nicole McAlpin were arrested and charged with twenty-three counts of Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty. They are being held at the Albemarle District Jail under a $6,500 secured bond.
