Government animal welfare inspectors have rescued seven Highland cows from a location in Noord Holland province, but three others had to be put down because they were in such poor shape.

Inspectors have not said where the cows were, or if they were being kept as a hobby, but said the animals had been very badly neglected.

Six dead cows were also at the location, and the live animals were living among them, knee deep in mud and manure, the inspectors said. There was also little food and water available.

Gisteren samen met de dierenpolitie een controle in NH bij veehouder met Schotse hooglanders.
Heel trieste bevindingen.
De dieren werden in erbarmelijke omstandigheden gehouden; 6 kadavers, 3 ter plaatse geëuthanaseerd en 7 magere en verzwakte dieren meegevoerd naar opvangstal pic.twitter.com/ubQrnw7LEq

— Inspecteur Dierwelzijn (@NVWADierwelzijn) January 14, 2022

The seven cows to survive have been taken to an address where ‘they will get the care they so urgently need,’ the inspectors said.

It is not the first time the owners have been inspected. ‘Last time a couple of things needed action, but they were done. The situation now was dramatic,’ a NVWA spokesman told broadcaster NH Nieuws.

The owners will face criminal charges, police said in a statement.