A 78-year-old woman has been convicted of 30 counts of animal cruelty after police found several dead animals on her property and seized more than 150 animals.

Ayer woman Ruth Maxant-Schulz was recently convicted after a five-day trial. She was sentenced to 1.5 years behind bars — suspended for two years with the conditions of no pets, no husbandry (farming), and a mental health evaluation.

The case goes back to last February when Ayer police officers responded to a call for a well-being check at a Taft Street home.

When the cops arrived at the home, they spotted animals roaming outside the property — including two ponies, several goats and ducks.

Officers also found several dead animals both outside and inside the home. There were two dead goats at the home’s front door and several goats inside a room that was covered in trash, animal feces and debris.

Inside the house, officers found three dead baby goats lying next to each other.

While searching the home for Maxant-Schulz, cops found two more baby goats lying next to each other. One was dead and the other appeared to be alive, but unwell.

Officers also heard a dog barking from a back room, and saw a duck walking around the house.

When the town’s animal control officer arrived, she heard baby goats making crying sounds and did not see any food or water set out for them.

A few days later, police officers were granted a search warrant for the home. Officers along with MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement saw similar disturbing conditions as before.

Officers also found a dog crate with various fowl, and they had no access to food or water.

“When Tufts Veterinarians arrived, they reported that there was a likely risk to the animals’ health due to the nature of the property and the animals’ inability to access nutritious food and water,” officials wrote.

“The veterinarians believed the animals were likely in a state of neglect and therefore believed it was necessary to remove the animals from the property,” officials added.

An injured adult goat was seen limping around the property with a broken leg. She was treated immediately by Tufts veterinarians and removed from the property.

The town’s health agent was granted an administrative search warrant. Officials spotted a dead goat inside a barn on the property. As a result of the observations, police were granted a second search warrant for the barn and the rest of the property.

In addition to the livestock found on the property, officers saw dead and decomposing goats and chickens.

Of the animals seized, there were specific injuries and medical issues noted — including emaciated animals and goats with severe abscesses and mastitis. Several fowl seized on the property were treated for lice.

A total of 162 animals were seized over the course of the two warrant executions, including 91 chickens, 49 goats, 11 ducks, eight geese, two ponies, and one dog. All of the animals were removed by and then cared for by MSPCA-Angell.

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The investigation was conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Ayer Police Department, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.