Rotting animals found at 'puppy mill'

ROCHESTER, Minn., May 25 (UPI) -- At least 200 animals were taken from a farm in Minnesota after authorities found the decaying bodies of a duck, dog and llama on the property, police said.

Olmsted County Sheriff's officials were raiding the 40-acre farm when they found the rotting animals in Viola Township, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Friday.

Animal Humane Society authorities said the farm owner was running "a puppy mill."

Reports of animals roaming freely on and around the farm -- as well as reports of dead animals -- prompted officials to investigate.

"Their living conditions were terrible. They were in a barn in wire cages with cobwebs everywhere, sitting in their own feces," said Deb Colbert of the Humane Society.

Officials said they took 73 canines and 131 rabbits from the property, where at least 125 birds and a dozen llamas remain pending court proceedings.

Chief Deputy Mark Darnell said the farm's owner is accused of using the Internet to sell puppies and may be charged next week with animal cruelty.