Volunteers spent two days rescuing animals at the center of an animal abuse investigation in San Joaquin County after dozens of dead or malnourished horses were discovered.

As part of an animal neglect investigation, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office in Northern California, along with a team of animal service officials and veterinarians, searched a handful of properties and reported finding 27 dead horses and multiple malnourished ones that didn’t appear to have much access to water or food.