Thursday's seizure of horses at a Brazos County stable is raising some questions.

That's because county commissioners had initially told shelter workers to call off the seizure. County Judge Randy Sims said it was to his understanding that the Brazos County Sheriff's Office is responsible for all large animal or livestock cases.

However, shelter director Kelley Durham said their contract specifically states the shelter handles livestock cruelty complaints. So while the shelter was acting legally Thursday, Judge Sims said that will change Tuesday.

That's when commissioner's plan to give the sheriff complete control of all livestock cases. Durham said if the sheriff's office was in control, Thursday's rescue wouldn't of happened.

"The sheriff's department went out looked at the conditions and did not find anything wrong and yet a judge issued a seizure warrant based on the evidence that we collected. So my concern is if they change a contract, the animals will not have a voice," said Durham.

Animal shelter workers said the horses were living in cruel, unsanitary conditions with mud and feces in their stalls.

They said the owner of the horses received a warning from the shelter a year ago.

Shelter employees are still standing firm by their decision to seize the animals. Whether the horses really were living in poor conditions will ultimately be up to Judge Ray Truelove to decide. He'll hear the case next week.