GALLATIN, Tenn. -- Twenty animals -- 10 horses, the rest ponies and donkeys -- were in such bad shape in Sumner County were seized from their owner on Wednesday.

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Animal Control and equine rescue volunteers found the animals living in terrible conditions on Tuesday. Under one pile of hay was a dead horse, while another deceased animal was yards away. Wild animals had been feeding on the carcasses.

Sumner County Animal Control Sgt. Michael McLeeren saw the animals were in poor condition and quickly obtained a search warrant.

"I called the ag-extension agents immediately. He came out to the scene. He evaluated each horse individually. He advised to take them immediately," McLeeren said.

He said the animals were slowly starving.

"I didn't see any grain feed, that I could observe, on the property. I did see some hay on the property, but it was poor quality hay," said McLeeran.

Animal Control deputies and equine volunteers assessed the animals Tuesday. Volunteers will feed the horses, and veterinarians will make sure the animals have their proper shots. The 10 horses are faring the worst, officials said.

The lot has no grazing value, it's mostly mud, and Animal Control deputies said the hay is worthless.

Deputies said they knew something was wrong when they received five complaints Tuesday morning. They quickly got a search warrant.

Tracy Jackson who lives across the street said she would get angry every time she drove by the property.

"Whoever the owner is, I would like to know why they haven't taken care of the animals," said Jackson.

Animal Control said there may be other horses in the same predicament, as the man who owns the animals leases a number of properties in the county. It also isn't the first time the owner, Donald Woodard, has been brought to Animal Control's attention.

Woodard has been charged with 20 counts of animal cruelty.

The sheriff's department took custody of the animals on Wednesday, but they will stay on the property until the volunteer equine group has enough room for them.