East County

Five misdemeanor complaints each of animal cruelty and neglect were filed Monday against Robert Fortenberry, owner of the five starving horses that were taken in by the Humane Society last week, society spokeswoman Lani Kian said.

The Humane Society’s reports are being reviewed by the district attorney’s office to determine whether charges should be filed against Fortenberry, a district attorney’s spokeswoman said. Each count carries a maximum penalty of $500 in fines and six months in jail.

The horses, which were being held in a pasture on Willow Glen Road near El Cajon, were confiscated last Tuesday when they were discovered to be severely malnourished and dehydrated. Ownership of the animals was signed over to the Humane Society the next day.