A Jehovah’s Witness reported improper care of a horse in Winfield Township, leading to criminal charges from state police in Butler.

James I. Wetzel, 66, was charged Tuesday, Sept. 1, with one misdemeanor count each of cruelty to animals and neglect to animals.

State police in Butler were notified May 18 of a horse with overgrown hooves. They were notified by a Jehovah’s Witness who was conducting door-to-door ministry and said the horse looked like it was wearing “elf shoes.”

Police investigated the following day and allegedly found the horse with “severely” overgrown hooves bending back toward its legs. Police said the condition is called “curling” and can cause serious bodily injury, pain and infection.

Police said the horse was otherwise in good health with access to food and fresh water and was living in “fairly decent” conditions. The rest of the animals there also seemed to be in good health, police said.

According to Wetzel, the male miniature horse is about 20 years old and he has owned it for about 10 years. Police said the horse had not had a recent veterinarian appointment because Wetzel administers the vaccines, routine care and deworming medicine himself.

Wetzel told police he could not find a farrier who would trim the hooves because he did not own a muzzle. Police returned to the property June 8 and said they found the horse’s hooves had been trimmed some but still did not meet trim length requirements.

Wetzel’s preliminary hearing has yet to be scheduled.