Authorities at the scene of the seizure Thursday. (Photo courtesy of Larry Hauk, Copperas Cove Leader-Press)

CORYELL COUNTY (July 19, 2012)--Deputies seized at least 107 livestock animals including several horses, goats and donkeys Thursday morning from a ranch just north of Copperas Cove.

Sheriff's deputies were at the Blue Heaven Farm at 910 Green Leaf Dr. loading animals into several trailers for transport to another location.

Chief Deputy Joe Blakley said 34 horses, eight head of cattle, seven donkeys, 54 goats and three hogs were seized and more cattle could be taken later.

Marijeta Medvereck, who also lives at the site, owns the property.

Blakley said the animals are not in desperate shape, but said deputies were forced to act because of the conditions in which the animals were kept.

Complaints from neighbors prompted deputies to begin an investigation into the ranch almost six weeks ago, Blakley said.

Blakley said some of the horses seized actually belong to other people and were being boarded at the ranch.

He said those owners will be contacted and given an opportunity to pick up their animals so they can make different boarding arrangements for them.

Coryell County Justice of the Peace Coy Latham, who signed the seizure warrant, will set a hearing within 10 business days to discuss the placement of the seized animals, Blakley said.

For now the animals will be taken to the county livestock pens and kept until Latham makes a decision about what to do with them.

Blue Heaven Farm's website says the business provides horses for trail rides, horse riding lessons, boarding and training services.

Animals listed on the website include horses, dogs, cats, goats and cattle.