Nearly a dozen horses have been surrendered to Kern County Animal Services by a local ranch, as an investigation claiming the animals were not receiving proper care unfolds.

Animal services is looking into a situation at Bit-O-Heaven Ranch located near South Enos Lane and Taft Highway.

They say they received several complaints from nearby residents saying that some of the horses look malnourished.

When Animal Services went to check it out they found 11 horses that were about 100 to 300 pounds underweight. During their investigation they found out the ranch had switched owners in the past six months.

The current owner who was not identified willingly surrendered the horses to Animal Services and now they're working to bring the horses back to health.