BARTOW, Fla. (AP) - Polk County deputies are taking care of nearly 200 farm animals, including more than 100 pigs, they say had been living in deplorable conditions at a rescue ranch in central Florida.
Media organizations report a judge on Tuesday awarded the Polk County Sheriff's Office custody of the 178 farm animals, including the pigs, 40 chickens and a horse.
Deputies arrested the owners of Darlynn's Darlins, a ranch that's advertised as a "No kill animal sanctuary," on Aug. 9 after getting a tip about possible animal cruelty from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Authorities are working with PETA and the Pig Advocates League to help place the pigs in new homes. In the meantime, officials say the pigs are being kept well-fed at the Sheriff's Office stockade in Bartow.
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