Malnourished cattle seized from Moore farm

Authorities visited the farm last week and found emaciated cattle infested with parasites, an overgrazed pasture and "hay of no nutritional value in unsanitary racks."

The farm visit stemmed from the 2012 conviction on two counts of animal cruelty of one of the two brothers charged Thursday, authorities said. That case involved the same herd that was seized.

Since the conviction, Moore County Animal Operations and a local veterinarian have worked to cull the herd to an appropriate size for the available pasture, down to 50 to 60 cows. But authorities said there was no compliance with recommendations on caring for the herd, and the condition of the cattle hadn't improved.

Authorities obtained a search warrant and an injunction to take control of the cattle, and the animals were moved to another Moore County farm Thursday afternoon to receive proper care.

Moving the cattle will cost the county about $4,000, and the county is paying another $4,000 a month for their care, County Manager Wayne Vest said.

"We realized there was going to be a cost associated with moving the herd and caring for them. But we also realized that, to leave the cows on site, in the condition they're in, was really not an option," Vest said.

He said the county hopes to recoup as much of that cost as possible from the family in a separate civil case.