Necropsies: 10 horses died from dehydration in Utah field

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Investigators with Unified Police and Salt Lake County Animal Services have confirmed that 10 horses found dead in a field in Magna last month succumbed to dehydration, according to a Wednesday news release.

The 10 horses — as well as one that was still alive — were found July 18 in a private, fenced off field near Pleasant Green Cemetery, near 3500 S. 9200 West.

The dead horses were taken to the state Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at Utah State University for examination.

With the veterinary findings, investigators will be screening potential animal cruelty charges against the horses' owner later this week with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, according to the news release.

Kennecott Utah Copper Corp., owns the land where the horses were found, but leases it to Erda Livestock.

Officials from Erda Livestock have not returned calls for comment.