Stearns County officials capped a seven-month investigation Monday and seized a herd of dairy cattle from a farmer in Getty Township, east of Sauk Centre. Sheriff’s Deputies and the Animal Humane Society of Minneapolis used a search warrant at the farm of 69-year-old Richard Yarke.

The county says 47 dairy cattle were malnourished, dehydrated, and living in "deplorable conditions." They were taken to a farm north of Sauk Centre where they will be quarantined and cared for. Once they are in good health they’ll be sold. Stearns County says it will reclaim its costs and give any left over money back to Yarke. All of the animals are expected to survive.