Boca Raton man arrested after deputies find malnourished, injured horses in ‘deplorable’ conditions, authorities say

A Boca Raton-area man was arrested after Palm Beach County sheriff s detectives uncovered several malnourished and injured horses living in what they described as deplorable and unsanitary conditions The study began Oct when deputies received a complaint that multiple horses on a property in the block of th Street South appeared severely underweight or hurt Detectives executed search warrants the next day and exposed ten horses in poor condition several of them severely malnourished or suffering untreated injuries the Palm Beach County Sheriff s Office declared Eight of the horses were secured and transported to Animal Care and Control for exigency veterinary remedy Two others could not be captured According to PBSO equine veterinarians determined all eight seized horses suffered from long-term neglect including malnutrition dehydration dental infection overgrown hooves rain rot untreated wounds and other medical issues One horse had a large maggot-infested wound that required surgery according to the sheriff s office Detectives noted the evidence established probable cause to charge the owner James Marinakis with eight counts of animal cruelty and neglect Marinakis was arrested Thursday on five counts of unlawful abandonment or confinement of an animal and three counts of aggravated animal cruelty