The Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office reports that hay that was donated for some five dozen abused animals has been stolen from the fairgrounds where most of the animals are being held.

Sheriff David Wendt says about half a ton of hay worth around $300 was missing on April 23.

Almost five dozen animals are being held at the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds as volunteers and the Sheriff's department help the animals from horses to goats, pigs an alpaca, and a llama into good health so they can be adopted.

The animals were found almost a week ago at a property near town that was littered with dead animals. Surviving animals were thought to be consuming stale bread and plastic and they had no access to clean water.

Donations for the care of the abused animals can be made to:

Beaverhead County Sheriff
Animal Rescue
2 South Pacific #16
Dillon, MT 59725