SPCA officers have seized 386 animals from a Texas property, including 35 horses. Most of the ponies - there are 34 miniatures and one paint - have foundered, the society says.
SPCA of Texas vehicles took the animals seized from the Sunnyvale property to its Perry Animal Care Centre in McKinney.
The number of animals seized totalled 386. The SPCA of Texas will care for the animals until a custody hearing on October 15 in a Dallas County court.
If the SPCA of Texas is awarded custody of the animals, they will be individually evaluated for placement or adoption on a case by case basis.
A total of 105 chickens, 79 pigeons, 41 rabbits, 35 horses, 33 goats, 27 doves, 22 sheep, 16 turkeys, nine ducks, six cattle, four potbellied pigs, four guineas, two geese, 2 mules and one donkey were seized.
The animals' conditions range from good to extremely poor. Many chickens have severe feather loss and most of the birds are emaciated. One calf was found in need of immediate veterinary care.
The SPCA described the living conditions of the majority of the animals as deplorable and "cruel confinement".
"Certain types of animals are regulated by state and federal law, which mandates that each type of animal requires clean living conditions of suitable size," the society said.
The society had been acting on several anonymous complaints.
It said it had worked with the animals' owner to help them comply with Texas State Health and Safety Code regarding these animals many times.
"After several attempts to help the animals' owner come into compliance with code, the SPCA of Texas agreed with the Dallas County Constable that immediate action was needed to remove these animals from conditions including cruel confinement, lack of appropriate shelter and lack of/contamination of food and water."
The society urged the public to consider adopting livestock animals currently available for adoption if now is the right time to add a large new family member.
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