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N.D. (AP) — Seventy horses and 20 cattle have been returned at least temporarily to a Gladstone rancher accused of abusing and neglecting them.

The Stark County Sheriff’s Office began to seize the animals last week on a judge’s order. Another judge reversed the order.

The Stark County State’s Attorney’s Office sued Gary Dassinger last month after a local veterinarian found some of Dassinger’s animals to be in poor shape. Two horses were severely crippled and were euthanized.

Dassinger says health problems make it difficult for him to care for the animals, and he says he hired the “wrong ranch hand.”

Dassinger is to appear in court June 7 on felony animal cruelty charges. He says he’ll fight the charges.