The cattle herd seized by authorities in Hill County earlier this month has now been moved again.
Acting on a warrant, law enforcement on Feb. 9 seized more than 300 head of cattle, mostly longhorns, from property near FM 933 and County Line Road in Hill County. The animals were transported to West Auction Barn in McLennan County.
On Sunday, the herd was moved elsewhere, according to the West Auction Barn.
The move comes after Hill County officials on Feb. 16 struck a deal in which the land owner would not acquire any additional heads of cattle pending final disposition, and the Humane Society of North Texas would retain custody of the animals already seized.
The Hill County Sheriff's Office said part of the herd would be sold to cover seizure and care costs, which currently exceed $3,000 per day.
A hearing will be held March 2 to determine permanent ownership of the cattle. No matter what, the Hill County Sheriff's Office said the herd would not be returned to the land owner.
"Those asserting an interest in ownership will have ten days to prove that ownership," the Hill County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
Investigators who were monitoring the property had been watching roughly 110 head for months. Back in early December, the land owner hired a manager to rehabilitate the herd. But, the land owner cut ties with that manager and progress stopped, investigators said.
In February, deputies were given new information that there was more cattle than thought on the land. And, some of those heads of cattle were dead. At that point, cowboys entered the property and located an extra 240 cows that were then rounded up.
At the time, at least 17 were found dead. And, as many as 30 more were at risk of being euthanized.
At last check, no arrests had been made in connection with the case, which was still under investigation.