Two of the most controversial bills out of the State Legislature this year involve animals. Tonight, there is a disturbing case of animal cruelty out of Fort Shaw that may add fuel to the fire in these emotional bills.

On February 9th, Cascade County Animal Control officers responded to a report of possible animal neglect at home west of Fort Shaw. Later Sheriff's detectives found a large amount of abused or neglected horses on the property.

"We found many dead animals," said Cascade County Sheriff David Castle. "More than 10 with obvious signs of abuse."

Three suspects appeared in Cascade County Court today. Marilyn Whiteside, and David and Elizabeth Lee were each cited for Felony 1st degree aggravated animal cruelty and four counts of unlawful disposition of a dead animal.

Meanwhile a house bill that would permit horse slaughterhouses in Montana this week moved onto the senate. Horse lover Laurel Christensen says legal slaughterhouses could prevent certain acts of cruelty, and would make horse termination humane.

"Older horses get thinner," Christensen said. "You think you are being humane , but their organs go and they start beating their head against the ground. That is not humane."

We visited the home of the animal cruelty suspects today, but no one would answer the door. Another bill in the state senate would increase punishments and treatment for animal hoarders moved onto the state house. Sheriff David Castle says these animal cruelty cases unfortunately are not rare.

"We see a lot of these cases where people don't take care of their animals. What is unusual about this case is the amount of animals involved."

As both the horse slaughter bill and animal hoarding bill are being considered, these animal cruelty suspects will meet their fate in the court system.