PHILADELPHIA—Authorities in Philadelphia are investigating the discovery of two malnourished horses found apparently abandoned in a residential north Philadelphia neighborhood.

Officers from the Pennsylvania Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals say the animals were skinny. They say there was no shelter or barn nearby and no food or water had been left for the horses.

Neighbor Yvette Chamberlain told reporters that one of the horses nudged her in the shoulder as she stood on her steps smoking a cigarette on a break from work.

She said she has seen men riding the horses around the neighborhood and other neighbors said children had been given rides on the animals.

The horses are now in the care of animal welfare officials.