PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. - A Saskatchewan man has been fined $5,000 after admitting he let four horses starve to death.

Brian Gamble pleaded guilty in a Prince Albert courtroom on Thursday to causing an animal to be in distress.

Two other charges against him were dropped.

Court heard that several horses were discovered in the Rural Municipality of Buckland this past winter.

A defence lawyer told the judge that her client was in hospital and had intended to get a friend to feed the animals.

Gamble has a year to pay the fine and the SPCA will be allowed to check his property without a warrant.