A Wood County man is facing charges of animal cruelty for allegedly leaving his two horses without food, drinking water or shelter during last week's heavy rains and flooding.

Forty-two-year-old William Lyons of Belleville was arrested Friday, the same day Humane Society officials seized his mare and stallion.

Rich Hudson, the chief humane officer for the county, says the mare, who is in her 20s, and the stallion, who is just a few years old, were tied up in mud and standing water.

The mare was about 350 pounds underweight and the stallion about 250 pounds underweight. Their ribs and hip bones were showing through their skin and they were both suffering from parasites.

The animals are now at a boarding stable where they're being monitored by veterinarians.

Lyons has been released on bond. No trial date has been set.

Hudson says officers with the Humane Society of Parkersburg had to scramble to find a horse trailer to transport the animals. He's hoping someone will donate one because the society handles several horse cases each year.