The Associated Press

LEESBURG -- A Loudoun County judge has granted legal custody of 48 horses seized from a Middleburg-area farm to the county.

After reviewing photos of the horses and the farm, the judge ruled the horses were "cruelly treated" and had not been given enough food or water. The judge also ordered the owners to reimburse the county for its food and medical costs since the seizure last week.

The owners were identified by the court as Dennis Danley, Donald Cutshaw and Pablo Cosme. The judge's order prohibits Danley from owning farm animals in Virginia, because he has a prior conviction. The others are barred from owning farm animals in the state for two years.

Danley has denied owning any of the horses.

Prosecutors say criminal charges are pending.