The Illinois Department of Agriculture served notices of violation of the Animal Welfare Act to owners of the pasture and the horses found malnourished recently near Dunlap.

A Washington woman, meanwhile, has set up a fund to help pay for the horses’ care.

Because the six horses were “starving,” the Ag Department removed them Dec. 31 from the pasture northeast of Dunlap. The horses are being cared for by Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society of Barrington.

The owner of the horses, Chicago resident Victor Abreu, and the pasture’s owner, David Menold of Dunlap, were served with written notices Thursday, said Chris Herbert, spokeswoman for the ag department.

The notice gave Menold and Abreu 24 hours to begin giving supplements and correct problems for Abreu’s 10 horses, which remain in Menold’s pasture, Herbert said. An inspection Friday showed the horses had a shelter area, a water source and were receiving needed care.

Two of the horses are in poor condition and require additional supplements, Herbert said.

The horses are currently being cared for, but the Ag Department will check on the violations, and charges still could be filed against Menold and Abreu, Herbert said.

Charges could range from a misdemeanor to more serious charges and would have to be filed by the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office, Herbert said. No one from that office could be reached for comment Friday.

“Our main concern is the well-being of the horses,” Herbert said.

Lee Ann Ferguson of Washington read about the horses’ plight Tuesday and set up a fund at CEFCU to pay for food, dietary supplements and veterinary bills for the 10 horses that remain.

Monetary donations may be made at any CEFCU branch. People who would like to donate hay or food supplements can call Ferguson at 868-1870.

Menold said the horses are receiving supplements and being fed at this time, but additional money will be needed to care for the animals, including one horse that is thought to be pregnant.

Menold said he had a contract with Abreu to provide summer pasture for the animals, but not hay. Abreu wrote a bad check, failed to pay for the animals’ care and still owes $10,000, Menold claimed.

On Friday, Menold said he was going to pursue legal action to keep Abreu from removing the horses without paying the money he is owed.

Ferguson stressed any donations to the CEFCU fund would be used for the care of the horses, not for legal fees.