SANFORD, Fla. -- A homeowner in Seminole County, Fla., faces possible animal abuse charges over accusations he asked a construction worker to bury his horse in a grave while it was still alive.

Sheriff's deputies were called to a home in Sanford Friday after a construction worker called to report that he was asked to use a tractor to dig a hole for a horse on a nearby property.

The construction worker said he refused to help the homeowner and called for help after he realized the owner wanted him to bury the horse alive.

"The owner or caregiver of the animal requested that he put dirt on top of the animal while it was still alive," Seminole County sheriff's Lt. Dennis Lemma said. "They saw a horse that was obviously sick, lying in a shallow grave in direct sunlight without food or water. It couldn't get up. It is an alarming situation."

Officers snapped several photos of what they believe to be animal abuse and neglect, including several of the animal lying in a shallow grave.

Deputies called animal control officers to the house, who then were forced to euthanize the animal, they said.

"We believe there was some kind of respiratory problem and colic," Lemma said.

The state attorney's office will determine if the owner will be charged with animal neglect, which is a second-degree misdemeanor.

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