JOHNSON COUNTY — An old horse with protruding ribs and hips nearly knocked over a young woman to get to the bucket of grain she rattled to draw the mare's attention.

Workers with the Humane Society of North Texas used food to lure three horses at a property in Johnson County. The workers also tried to entice eight dogs into cages.

The Humane Society came to the burned down home with sheriff's deputies and a warrant to seize the animals.

The Society’s Sandy Grambort rates the old horse a "one" on a scale of one to nine. "I think she would have had a tough winter if she'd survived at all," she said, adding that she's seeing this kind of scene more than ever.

Last month alone, the Humane Society of North Texas seized a record 203 animals. "More than we've ever seen in our cruelty department in the 106 years we've been there," Grambort said.

Johnson County Detective Steve Shaw echoes the concern. "These thin horses, we're seeing more and more all the time," he said.

There are more dead horses, too. "They're taking them out on the back roads and just dumping them," Shaw said. "Then the county has to take care of them."

Grambort can't prove it, but she suspects more people are abandoning animals because they just can't afford them any more. "We rarely see intentional abuse or neglect," she said. "What we're seeing more and more is perhaps a result of the economy."

There was food left out for the dogs and horses at the burned out house, and some of the animals there appeared to be in good condition.

Grambort said it appears the owners are making some effort to care for the dogs and horses, and she hopes they’ll work with her agency to get them back.

"If the owner wants to show up and take better care of these animals, we'll be happy to try to help them."

After all, the Humane Society doesn't want to set any more records.

E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com