Jack Cassell's horses got out onto U.S. 220 again early Wednesday, and now Cassell is facing three new charges.

Botetourt County animal control officers seized three of Cassell's horses shortly after midnight following a phone call from a driver who'd seen the horses on U.S. 220, according to a release from the sheriff's office.

Cassell, 79, has been charged with three counts of allowing animals to stray or trespass, said Maj. Delbert Dudding. Each misdemeanor charge carries a maximum fine of $250, he said. Cassell will return to Botetourt County General District Court on March 3.

Cassell faced trial on 33 animal cruelty charges last month. He pleaded guilty to two counts of depriving an animal of food and water. On Feb. 1, six of his horses were seized for blocking U.S. 220. He was convicted of five misdemeanor counts of allowing an animal to stray or trespass and fined $250.

Sgt. W.D. Horton, who seized the horses with animal control officer Kevin Crowder, said little had been done to Cassell's fences, except the addition of a couple of bungee cords, since the last time Cassell's horses escaped. Cassell plans to put up an electric fence, said attorney Rob Hagan.

Horton and Crowder transported the horses to another farmer's pasture.

Cassell had 32 horses in his care when he was initially charged in late December. He was under court order to reduce his herd to 20 horses by Feb. 20 and now must further whittle the herd down to six horses by Sept. 30. Cassell now has 18 horses, including the three horses seized Wednesday, according to the sheriff's office. Hagan said Cassell has found homes for all but 17 of the horses.

"It's his owner's option to sell them to the butcher," Hagan said. "But he's been working diligently to find homes for them."