Two Racine men accused of letting 22 cattle die earlier this year were placed on unsupervised probation Monday in Mower County District Court.

Donald Sween, 76, and Michael Sween, 52, had their cases continued for dismissal. Along with the probation, they were ordered not to have any livestock animals.

The two had been charged with misdemeanors after the cattle died and two more were taken to another facility when deputies responded to a report of animal neglect during a February blizzard.

Due to health issues, the residents were unable to care for the cattle for several days, according to Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi.

Amazi previously said she was reluctant to file charges and described the issue as a destitute situation, as the residents were struggling to care for themselves after they were involved in a serious car accident.