CORNWALL, Conn. (AP) A Cornwall farm operator, accused of mistreating dairy goats, has been arrested on animal cruelty charges.

Tara Bryson, who operates Butterfield Farm Co. with her boyfriend, Michael Hearl, was arrested Thursday.

The Republican-American reports that Bryson declined to comment, but criticized the tactics used against her. She and Hearl told state inspectors they were treating the goats for worms.

Inspectors seized the goats on Jan. 16. Court records say the animals were hungry, ``thin, cold and lethargic'' with many lying in piles on top of each other.

Seventy-two goats taken to an animal rehabilitation center in Niantic are doing well, though 53 died before they could be removed.

Butterfield Farm was barred from selling dairy products after the Department of Agriculture said the cheese processing facility lacked proper sanitation and record-keeping.