The owners of a ranch near Frazier Park were arrested Wednesday for animal cruelty.

Ventura County sheriff's and animal shelter officials allege ranch owner Ernie Bor, his wife, Cecela, and his mother, Joan, abused and neglected nearly 100 horses.

The three are likely to face felony charges and are being held on $20,000 bail, according to authorities.

"It's very tragic," said Jolene Hoffman of the Ventura County Animal Shelter.

Authorities removed 24 horses Wednesday from the property, which they said had overcrowded pens, dilapidated fencing and a lack of food. The ranch will be classified as an animal shelter so workers from the Humane Society of Ventura County can care for the remaining horses and find them new homes.

Authorities removed 14 horses last week, and one of them had to be euthanized after it collapsed, according to an Associated Press report.

Joan Bor denied the horses were neglected and said her son bought several of the thinnest horses recently to prevent them from being killed, according to the AP report.