MIDDLEBURG, Va. -- Loudoun County officials said animal cruelty charges may be filed against the owners of four dozen horses seized from a Middleburg farm.

County officials yesterday said many of the horses were emaciated, some were standing in their own waste and drinking water was frozen in their troughs. All 48 horses were taken from the farm Tuesday night.

Authorities said animal control officers have been checking the horses since getting an anonymous tip in November about conditions at the farm. A veterinarian was brought in after the horses' condition got noticeably worse.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jason Faw said there appears to be some confusion over who owns the horses, which may be holding up filing charges.

-- The Associated Press