A 42-year-old woman has been arrested after reports of maltreated animals at a farm located in the Town of Butternuts.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office says complaints indicated that deceased animals were on the property of Katherina Cassata of Gilbertsville. On September 12, the office received a complaint about a deceased alpaca on the farm. Reports also said that the remaining animals appeared to be malnourished.

The Sheriff’s office obtained a search warrant that was executed on September 16. Officers searched the farm and seized hold of nineteen horses, two pigs, a llama, a donkey, and a cat. The deceased alpaca was also found on the property at the time of the search.

Assistance for the animals through various agencies including Susquehanna SPCA was offered to Cassata over the course of several months, but never taken.

After assessments of the animals, done by two different veterinarians, Cassata was arrested on September 20.

Cassata has been charged with multiple counts of failing to provide care to animals under the Agriculture and Markets Law.