Dozens of allegedly maltreated horses and donkeys are recovering after law enforcement authorities seized them from a self-described animal sanctuary near Canton, Texas.

In a written statement the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Texas said it responded to a suspected animal cruelty complaint at a Van Zandt County property in March. Upon arrival, investigators found a number of allegedly maltreated horses and educated the property owners, who have not been identified, on how to properly feed and care for the animals.

The agency conducted wellness checks on the animals until March 30, when it received a call reporting multiple horse carcasses on the same property.

Investigators found more than half the horses and the donkeys in a large pasture allegedly without food and limited water access. They found other horses in a pair of smaller paddocks with limited food and water access