FRANKLIN COUNTY — Two West Frankfort residents face animal cruelty charges after a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy along with Franklin County Animal Control responded to home in rural West Frankfort on Aug. 31 to investigate a reported animal cruelty report.

Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones says both the Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control had received information that two horses on the property had been allowed to perish due to neglect and/or the denial of water and food. The remains of two horses were discovered on the property in an advanced state of decay.

Jones says an investigation was conducted and the information was forwarded to the Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Warrants were issued Wednesday for 57-year-old Debbie A. Mandrell and 80-year-old John F. Hargis. They both lived at the property.

The warrants charge two counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals and cruel treatment to a companion animal. Bond was set at $25,000.

Mandrell surrendered at the Sheriff’s Office the same day and was released on $2,500 cash bond.

Deputies arrested Hargis at his home Friday. He is being held pending bail.