The Alberta SPCA has seized 33 horses from a private property over allegations they were in distress.

The animals were taken from the property in Springbank area, west of Calgary, on Jan. 5 under the Animal Protection Act, but no charges have yet been laid, Morris Airey, director of animal protection services, said on Friday.

Airey could not reveal many details but said the investigation has been underway for "some time." He said a decision on charges should come next week.

This is the fifth seizure of horses in the last six months in Alberta, Airey said.

Owners could be neglecting their horses for many reasons including high feed prices, he said. A drought last summer left little for animals to graze on through the winter.

Related posts:

• Herd of starving horses rescued in Alberta
• SPCA exec’s dog dies after being left in hot car
• West Nile Devastated Bird Species
• Calgary Zoo weighs in on Lucy debate
• Outside experts to probe Calgary Zoo