A Montgomery County, Texas, judge has awarded the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) custody of 200 allegedly maltreated horses seized last month.

In June, law enforcement authorities began investigating allegations that horses and other animals were being maltreated at the Premium Star Ranch in Conroe, Texas, and a search warrant was served on the owners of that property. According to that warrant, the horses residing there were allegedly malnourished and others had died allegedly due to inadequate care. Montgomery County Constables subsequently seized about 200 living horses in place.

The animals’ owners Herman and Kathleen Hoffman were arrested and charged with three counts each of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

The Houston SPCA has been caring for the horses since the seizure, said Brian Latham, the organization’s communications director