VAN ZANDT COUNTY —
The SPCA of Texas along with the Van Zandt County Constable's office seized 87 animals and 50 dead horses from a property near Canton Tuesday afternoon.
The animals were a mix of horses, pigs, donkeys and one longhorn.
The action was a result of a major investigation into the self-described 'sanctuary,' that started on March 3.
Authorities at first spent time educating the owners on the proper care and feeding of the animals and entered into an agreement with them to bring the animals' condition into compliance with the Texas Health and Safety Code. At that time, the investigators did not know about the dead horses.
Investigators checked in with the owners on March 15 and March 28. A complaint came in on March 30 about the dead horses, at which time SPCA of Texas began proceedings to remove the animals.
According to a statement from the SPCA of Texas, more than half of the animals were roaming a large fenced pasture with minimal access to food and water.
"The horses were so desperate for nourishment, they were eating the bark off the trees, leaving some trees completely bare of bark," the news release stated.
One of the dead horses was sent for a necropsy to determine cause of death.
The animals will be examined by medical staff and cared for until a custody hearing takes place, scheduled for April 19 in Canton.
