BEACON FALLS, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture rescued more than a hundred animals on Friday from a Beacon Falls farm on Lopus Road.

The Department of Agriculture said 99 sheep and a goose were rescued from the farm and taken to the Department of Agriculture’s rescue and rehabilitation center within the Niantic Department of Corrections facility. 21 cats were also voluntarily surrendered to the Woodbridge Regional Animal Control.

“The conditions were unbelievable,” said Karen Lombardi, Chief Animal Control Officer for Woodbridge Regional Animal Control. “The barns were falling down; the house was falling down. Trash, debris everywhere.”

A Beacon Falls resident reported seeing several dead sheep to the Department of Agriculture on Feb. 22.

“Every day I’d go by there and it just bothered me,” this resident told News 8. “Then, I said I have to call because now the vultures are getting at the sheep.”

The Department of Agriculture (DoAg) inspected the property and found an ewe and her lamb that needed critical care. They were removed from the farm with the owner’s permission then.

Due to unsuitable living conditions, DoAg was granted a search and seizure warrant for the remaining animals. The sheep were transported to DoAg’s rescue and rehabilitation facility in Niantic, where they were being evaluated and treated. As for the cats and goose, they’re in the care of Woodbridge Regional Animal Control.

“When we got there, it was one of the situations you don’t want to see,” said Jessica Moffo, Animal Control Officer for Woodbridge Regional Animal Control. “But it’s our job to get the animals out of there and into a better situation.

According to the Department of Agriculture, several animals needing heat lamps were shivering during the inspection. The hay bedding on the farm was found to be damp, which made it impossible for animals to maintain their body temperature.

The warrant showed the animals had an excess growth of wool that was causing skin conditions and bald patches. Some animals were also developing lameness due to overgrown hooves. Many sheep also had not been shorn for several years.

According to the DoAg, five adult sheep were found dead on the farm, in addition to two lambs.

The search warrant showed the pasture was littered with debris, pallets, cat food containers, trash, fence posts, and construction debris. According to the warrant, there was evidence animal carcasses were mixed in and that there were bones littered in the area.

The Department of Agriculture thanked the Woodbridge Southbury, Oxford, and East Haven animal controls for their assistance on the case.

The removal of animals is a last resort for the Department of Agriculture. The department usually works with the owner to improve their standard of care. Resources and support for homeless animal owners can be found by calling the Department of Agriculture at 860-713-2500.

News 8 stopped by the property on Wednesday for comment. The animals’ owner didn’t respond when asked for a statement. No charges have been filed.