MASONVILLE TOWNSHIP — Horses that roamed loose in the area for nearly two weeks have been returned to their owner, according to Michigan State Police (MSP).

MSP confirmed Monday that the horses had been returned to the owner’s farm. A trooper from the MSP Gladstone Post visited the property Monday and checked on the animals, finding that they appeared to be adequately cared for, according to the agency.

Although MSP did not release the owner’s name, the Daily Press received a phone call from a man identifying himself as Arnold Proehl, who said he owns the horses.

The Press was unable to reach Proehl on Monday, but during the phone call on Saturday, Proehl said the horses had run through his electric fence after being spooked by nearby fireworks. He remarked that setting off fireworks near livestock is an act of animal cruelty and that people should not be allowed to use them in rural areas.

Proehl also said that statements made by MSP last week were “lies.”

The horses had been loose in Masonville Township since July 3, prompting multiple calls to law enforcement and reports of traffic hazards.

On June 29, MSP was requested to conduct a welfare check on the horses and found they appeared to be healthy and had access to food and water, according to MSP Eighth District Public Information Officer Benjamin Eckola.

The horses later escaped on July 3 after reportedly being startled by nearby fireworks and breaking through a fence, leading to multiple reports of loose horses on area roads, including US-41 near Sunnybrook Lane. Troopers and assisting agencies initially were unable to locate them.

On July 4, a MSP trooper contacted the owner after receiving information about who the horses belonged to. The owner reportedly was unaware the horses were missing.

The following day, MSP received a report that the horses had been found at a nearby farm, where they remained until being returned.

MSP said if evidence of criminal wrongdoing is identified, the findings will be submitted to Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman for review. Wickman previously told the Daily Press that her office had been assisting MSP with the investigation.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.