Over 40 starving cows seized near DeLand

ASTATULA, Fla. — Lake County Animal Services said it rescued 41 malnourished cows from a rancher near DeLand.

Officials said their ribs and hipbones were poking through their hide, and some of the calves couldn't get milk from their mothers.

Officials said they've been eating constantly since they arrived at an animal shelter in Astatula.

The director of the shelter said they'd been working with the rancher for two months, but the cows got worse so they had to seize them.

The director said animal owners will sometimes not follow directions and let the animals get in bad shape, even when officials keep checking.

The rancher is not happy that his cattle were seized.

Channel 9 called the owner after seeing the condition of the animals, but he could not be reached.

WFTV